GOAT is personal preference but Novak Djokovic will be remembered as a "great" fighter who proved anything is possible, says Goran Ivanisevic
Novak Djokovic's coach Govan Ivanisevic has given his verdict on the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) debate, saying that it will always remain open as it is a matter of personal preference.
Ivanisevic stated, however, that the Serb will always be the "greatest" in his opinion. He called the 22-time Grand Slam champion a man who "broke all the limits" and one of the greatest fighters tennis has ever seen.
The Croat marveled at how Djokovic, at times, pulled off things that seemed almost impossible to do, likening him to a supernatural occurrence from the TV show 'The Twilight Zone.'
"I feel that the G.O.A.T. question will always remain open as it depends on personal preference. Personally, I will remember him as the greatest player of all time and a man who broke all the limits," Ivanisevic said in a recent interview with Tennis Majors.
"It’s like he came straight from that show The Twilight Zone: unreal results, unreal shots, unreal everything… Sometimes I watch him and I don’t think it’s possible what he is doing – while I’m watching him do it. And he not only does it again, but does it even better.
"He will be remembered as a great fighter who proved that anything is possible."
Goran Ivanisevic also expects the World No. 1 to go on for a few more years, declaring that he has simply kept getting better and better with age. As for how, the former Wimbledon champion pointed to how meticulously Djokovic cares for his body, which, in turn, has now helped him keep it in perfect shape.
"I am sure that he can go on for a few more years – two, three, four, I can’t put an exact number on it," Ivanisevic said.
"His body is in perfect shape because he takes care of it so meticulously, he is always introducing something fresh into his regime. I mean, he won seven matches in Melbourne with half a leg, playing the way he played. His tennis keeps getting better and this is not just my opinion as his coach."
How long can Novak Djokovic keep going like this, it depends on his motivations, desire, goals: Goran Ivanisevic
Goran Ivanisevic also brought up how tennis commentators and his colleagues on tour have also now realized that Novak Djokovic has become better with age. He added that even players much younger than the World No. 1 cannot handle him when he is mentally ready.
While how long Djokovic can keep playing will depend on his goals and ambitions, Ivanisevic believes he has at least a few years left in him before calling it a day.
"Tennis commentators have noted the same and, most importantly, so have fellow players," Ivanisevic said.
"When they say that they didn’t have a chance, that Novak’s shots were just too deep, that there was nothing they could have done…
"Those guys are 15 years younger than him and still can’t handle Novak when he is mentally ready. He is just too strong. For how long can he keep going like this, it depends on his motivations, desire, goals… A few more years for sure."