"Novak Djokovic's movement and professionalism is second to none" - Darren Cahill lauds the Serb's efforts to look after his body
Boris Becker recently told Andrea Petkovic that Novak Djokovic is like water and the way he adapts to his opponent's game is unmatched. Former player Darren Cahill agrees wholeheartedly with Becker's theory and has himself heaped praise on the legendary player for his game style.
The Serb recently won his 10th Australian Open and equaled Rafael Nadal's record of 22 Grand Slam titles, the highest among the men. His victory meant much more than any of his previous ones since he was infamously deported from Australia last year due to his unvaccinated status against the coronavirus.
Speaking on The Big Deal - Australian Sports Business Podcast, Cahill spoke highly of Djokovic's ability to find weaknesses in his opponent's game. He also hailed the Serb for his on-court movement and professionalism.
"I actually heard Andrea Petkovic describe Novak as being like water because you can sort of get it but you can't really hold on to it," Cahill said. "And I reckon that's a really good way of describing Novak because he finds a way to get through every crack and every crevice to break down the opponent's game and find weaknesses. And his movement and his professionalism is second to none."
Cahill, Jannik Sinner's coach, stated that he had never seen another athlete take care of their body the way the 35-year-old Serbian did.
"I mentioned Federer before being the trailblazer for what he was able to do 15 years ago for a long period of time. But these guys [Nadal and Djokovic] have taken it to a whole new level, especially Novak. I've never seen anybody look after their body and be more professional than Novak, with the lengths he goes to get his body into the place it is," he added.
“It's going to be Djokovic vs everyone else this year" - Brad Gilbert
The COVID-19 restrictions will end on May 11, 2023, in the US, which means that Novak Djokovic will be able to return to New York for the US Open in August. Former player and coach Brad Gilbert believes that the Serb is getting better at the age of 35 and it will be him against all the other players this year.
“I think that it is definitely going to be Djokovic vs everyone else this year," Cahill said. "If I had to set an over-under, I would say two-and-a-half Slams for him. He is getting better at 35. I think before, it was all about Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer for him. They were measuring and making improvements to them. The Big 3 pushed each other.
"But now, Djoker, I believe, has gone to another elevation where he is making these adjustments in his game to face Tsitsipas and Alcaraz, to all the young players that are pushing him."
The Serbian ace has won three US Open titles in his career.