Now it seems embarrassing.” McEnroe says that what’s most impressive about Djokovic is his ability to evolve as a player at an advanced age.
“It’s hard to do, to get better at that many things, and still maintain that hunger he’s got,” said McEnroe.
And so are Sinner and Alcaraz, the slam-gobbling duo that has collectively won each of the last five major titles on offer.
If there’s an open door, Djokovic will be there to smash through it, says McEnroe.
“We’re all wondering about that,” the American icon said, referring to how Djokovic will handle the physical challenges that lie in wait.
Not if he prevails. Perhaps waiting is the second-seeded Carlos Alcaraz, who takes on Lorenzo Musetti on Friday.
The man who has single-handedly changed the sports record books for the past five years, at a time when tennis players are expected to be well into retirement, is the ideal person to take on this unprecedented task.
According to seven-time major champion John McEnroe, who is in Paris to call the action for broadcast partner TNT, Djokovic will have an embarrassing amount of money to hang his hat on regardless of how he performs this weekend. The 38-year-old titan has won significantly more major titles than any other player, male or female, having won half of his 24 since turning 30.
McEnroe recalls having a difficult time against Pete Sampras, who was 19 at the time, in the 1990 US Open semifinals. After losing in four sets, he never again won a major.
He told Rolandgarros . com, “I felt like 31 was 38 at that point.”. “We were pleased with ourselves if we reached thirty.”. At this point, it appears embarrassing. “.”.
The most remarkable thing about Djokovic, according to McEnroe, is his capacity to improve as a player at a later age.
He remarked, “He’s almost, in certain ways, better.”. Since I couldn’t accomplish that, I truly admire that. It was terrible to feel like I was getting worse, and I believe my best tennis was at 25 or 26. “.”.
McEnroe claims he is envious of Djokovic’s late-career comeback.
“Over the past few years, his service has been better than it has ever been,” McEnroe says. He’s improved his volley skills, in my opinion. In my opinion, he has more touch and is using the drop shot more frequently and skillfully than I have ever seen him. “”.
It’s no secret that Djokovic never ceases to amaze tennis fans. What should he do with the fire that still burns in his belly, though, given that all of his fiercest opponents have ultimately had to surrender to Father Time?
“Being able to improve at so many things and still have that hunger he has is difficult,” McEnroe said. The fact that he can still have that kind of hunger and desire to do this every single day is the part that I find most incomprehensible. “.”.
Even though Djokovic is in his late thirties and has been remarkably successful, this weekend marks a turning point in his career. The same kind of phenomenon that derail McEnroe in 1990 at the age of 31 is about to confront him.
McEnroe jokes, “It turned out Sampras was pretty good.”.
The slam-gobbling duo Sinner and Alcaraz, who together have won each of the last five major titles available, are also in this category.
Some are concerned about how Djokovic will perform against 24-year-old Sinner on Friday after he voiced concerns about being pushed to his physical limits following his four-set victory over Alexander Zverev on Wednesday in Paris.
“I just hope that in a few days, I’ll be able to keep up with Sinner physically.”. After the victory, he remarked, “It’s a big challenge for me.”.
Not your normal Djokovician wordplay, and some are concerned that even for a man with Djokovic’s superpowers, the challenge this weekend might be too great.
Journalist Sasa Ozmo from Serbia told Rolandgarros . com, “I was a little surprised because he said that things in that context are different than they were five or ten years ago.”. These are statements he typically makes at the start of the competition, but not before a match this important.
However, it is a significant test for him and will be the most significant test this tournament has yet to see. “”.
A record-tying 25th major title is once again within reach for three-time champion Djokovic. Additionally, he is in much better form than he was in Australia, where he defeated Alcaraz in the quarterfinals but had to withdraw from the semi-finals due to a hamstring injury.
McEnroe asserts that Djokovic will be there to slam a door if it is open.
The American legend remarked, “We’re all wondering about that,” in reference to Djokovic’s ability to manage the upcoming physical obstacles. “I think it will be extremely difficult to win [the title] if Sinner or Alcaraz give it their all, but if they don’t, then I have a chance to pull off an upset. “”.
