"Novak Djokovic is probably better now than he was 10 years ago" - Serb is 4-5 years away from retirement, suggests Mats Wilander
Former World No. 1 Mats Wilander reckons Novak Djokovic is out on a mission to prove that 40 is the new 30. Djokovic is currently competing at the Australian Open, where he is through to the semifinals.
On Tuesday, the 10-time champion saw off Taylor Fritz in four sets to reach a record-extending 11th semifinal at Melbourne Park.
Djokovic faced a stern challenge from the American, saving two set points in the opening set and going 0/15 on break points over the first couple of hours. However, the 36-year-old broke when it mattered most, going 4/6 in the last two sets as Fritz's challenge wilted under the hot Melbourne sun.
The win was a landmark one for Djokovic, as it was his 700th on hardcourts and 94th in Melbourne.
Up next for the Serb on Friday is a blockbuster semifinal against the up-and-coming Jannik Sinner, in a repeat of last year's Wimbledon semifinal. Ahead of the clash, Wilander told Eurosport that Djokovic is far from contemplating retirement as he seeks to redefine the widely accepted human limits.
“I think that's (retirement's) not even close to being in the next year or two,” Wilander said. “Honestly, I think it's most probably four or five years. And he's most probably out there wanting to prove that to the rest of the world."
Drawing parallels with Neil Armstrong's historic landing on the moon in 1969, Wilander said Djokovic could easily play at the top level till 40 and beyond. Wilander reckons Djokovic is aging like fine wine, and that he is playing better right now than when he was in the prime of his career 10 years ago.
“It's kind of like (when) we flew to the moon. He was probably thinking, ‘I'm doing something for mankind here,' and obviously doing something for himself, which is making us realise that 40 is not what we think 40 should be in his eyes and his world," Wilander said. “40 is just literally just a number. And in fact, I think he's probably better now than he was when he was number one ten years ago.”
The Serb has won 12 of his record 24 Grand Slams after turning 30. In two of the last three years, he reached all four Major finals, winning three.
Novak Djokovic seeking more history at the Australian Open
Novak Djokovic is the undisputed king of Melbourne Park, winning his last 33 matches there. His last loss came against Hyeon Chung in the 2018 fourth round.
A record-extending 11th title will take Djokovic past all-time Grand Slam leader Margaret Court's tally of 24 titles. It will also keep him at No. 1, with No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in hot pursuit. The Spaniard needs to win the title or better Djokovic's result this fortnight to return to the top of the rankings.
Novak Djokovic's first-round win made him the first player to win 90 matches at three of the four Grand Slams.