The father of Novak Djokovic has said the world No.1 should be compared with the greatest athletes in history due to his achievements.
Srdjan Djokovic has hailed his son by claiming that ‘everything in the world of tennis depends on him’ and he is already the greatest of all time in tennis. Seemingly brushing aside rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer who currently holds the record for most Grand Slam titles won by a man at 20. Djokovic, who has won 18 major titles so far in his career, has spent more weeks at the top of the ATP Tour rankings more than anybody else in history and has won 82 ATP titles.
During an interview with Croatian publication Sportske Novosti, Srdjan made a series of claims about the Serbian tennis great. One of which is that he only loses a match on the Tour when he allows his opponents to beat him. He has also backed Djokovic to win gold in the Olympics this year, as well as two more Grand Slam titles.
“I think you have the wrong question, he has no tendency, he is already the best of all time” Srdjan replied when asked if Djokovic can become the greatest tennis player in history. “According to the number of weeks spent at No. 1, and in head-to-head matches, according to the number of Masters titles, the only thing he lacks is Olympic gold and those two Grand Slam titles that he will win this year.’
“He is the best and everything in the world of tennis depends on him. He can lose, but not because his opponent outplayed him, but because he allowed his opponent to beat him.”
Whilst there has been no talk about Djokovic retiring from the sport, Srdjan claims that the 33-year-old has up to three years left playing on the Tour. Contradicting Djokovic’s comments last year in which he told journalist Graham Bensinger that he ‘wants to go for a long time’ and even mentioned the possibility of playing until the age of 40 if his body allows him to.
“He will not leave tennis yet, his career will last another year and a half, two, up to three at most, when all possible parameters will be in his possession.”
Srdjan says Djokovic’s achievement should instead be compared with the likes of Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan due to his dominance in the sport.
“He is still the best tennis player in the world and one of the best athletes of all time. Well, an English journalist said last week, even though they are his fierce opponents, that his rivals are no longer Federer and Nadal, but compare him instead to Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan. He’s that category,” he concluded.
Djokovic has withdrawn from the upcoming Miami Open to spend more time with his family. He is set to return to action during the clay season.
