French tennis great confused by Novak Djokovic longevity as he compares him to two sporting icons
02/06/2024 02:27 PM
Richard Gasquet has expressed his amazement at the longevity of Novak Djokovic as he admitted he “can’t explain” why the Serbian is “so strong at that age.”
The former world No 7 suggested basketball legend Michael Jordan is the only athlete comparable to Djokovic in terms of staying power at the top of a sport.
Djokovic claimed seven titles from just 12 ATP events entered in 2023 as he won 56 of his 63 matches across all tournaments (88.9%) and ended the season as world No 1 for a record-extending eighth time.
The 36-year-old won three of the four Grand Slam tournaments, while he was a beaten finalist at Wimbledon, losing a five-set epic to Carlos Alcaraz.
It was the fourth season in Djokovic's career where he secured three majors after 2011, 2015 and 2021, and it was the third time he made all four finals and won three, following the latter two years.
The world No 1 has now won 12 Grand Slam titles in his 30s and has a remarkable 12-3 record in major championship matches since turning 30.
Djokovic, who was beaten by Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-finals last month, is next set to compete at the Indian Wells Masters in March.
READ MORE: Rod Laver backs Novak Djokovic to 'come back stronger' as he makes GOAT debate claim
In an interview with L’Equipe, Gasquet discussed his own difficult run of form and suggested Djokovic is an anomaly given what he is achieving at his age.
"It's bound to get worse [with age]. Apart from Djokovic, who wins Grand Slams at almost 37 years old? Have we ever experienced this in sport, apart from perhaps [Michael] Jordan? (Lionel) Messi plays in Miami, the others (footballers) in Saudi Arabia, he is world No 1,” the Frenchman said.
“I can’t explain why a guy like that is so strong at that age. At 37–38 years old, normally, you are much less good than at 25. You know that. At no time did I tell myself that I would play the year I turned 38 (Gasquet will turn 38 in June). Unimaginable.”
Gasquet, 37, is currently ranked 131st in the world and has lost his last nine ATP Tour level matches, with his last win in an elite level event coming in Winston-Salem in August.
The 16-time ATP titlist was beaten in straight sets by world No 102 Roberto Bautista Agut in the opening round of the ATP 250 tournament in Marseille on Tuesday.
READ MORE: Andy Roddick weighs in on Carlos Alcaraz coach criticism after highlighting his weakness
The post French tennis great confused by Novak Djokovic longevity as he compares him to two sporting icons appeared first on Tennis365.
