Novak Djokovic gets support after John McEnroe’s | Sports News

Greg Rusedski has pushed back in opposition to fellow tennis legend John McEnroe’s evaluation of Novak Djokovic’s prospects for capturing a twenty fifth Grand Slam crown. The 38-year-old Serbian final hoisted a main trophy on the 2023 US Open.

Since then, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have taken heart stage within the tennis world. The duo has claimed 4 of the previous eight Grand Slam titles, with the newest three tournaments that includes showdowns between the 2 within the championship match.

Djokovic made it to the semi-finals in any respect 4 majors final yr however could not advance additional, with three of these defeats coming by the hands of both Alcaraz or Sinner. He’s aiming to flip the script on the Australian Open, although McEnroe has ruled out his probabilities, and likewise interrupted Australian Open commentary with a ‘miserable’ replace.

Yet former British primary Rusedski is not able to depend out the Serbian star simply but. On the Off Court Cuts podcast, he remarked: “I thought it was really interesting to hear McEnroe’s comments that he doesn’t feel Novak can beat Alcaraz and Sinner back-to-back.

“We all really feel that, however boy was he good in his opening spherical and let’s take a look at one statistic. 100 wins Down Under in Australia and he has finished that in three of the 4 Slams.”

“The just one he hasn’t finished it’s within the US Open. 400 wins at majors! Most people do not do this on all of the tournaments they play. Don’t low cost Novak if he can transfer by way of the rounds simply.

“Everyone was talking about his neck being a little bit sore and asking whether he would be healthy enough, but he knows how to manage his body. That’s why he’s the GOAT.”

“At the age of 38, he’s playing better than 97 or 98 of the players in the top 100 in the world. It was an impressive opener and he saved a lot of energy.

“With Novak, he is speaking massive. He’s had an unbelievable report down in Australia, so do not ever low cost a great legend.”

The remarks follow McEnroe’s earlier forecast on TNT Sports. When questioned whether Djokovic could topple both Alcaraz and Sinner at a Grand Slam, he responded: “In his coronary heart of hearts and in my view, no.

“I don’t think he can beat both of those guys when he has already had to go through five matches – that’s the problem. That’s the reality he has talked about.

“So much of people would possibly assume, ‘Why are you continue to going at this level, you have not received in a couple of years and you’re so used to successful?’ Why not can be the query?”.

“In my guide, he’s No 3 on the planet. He made 4 semis final yr and beat Alcaraz right here. He should assume he can nonetheless win this in any other case, as a result of he will not play until he thinks he can win, which is harder as a result of he would not play a lot.”

Djokovic cruised by way of his opening-round encounter in Melbourne on Monday, dispatching Spaniard Pedro Martinez in straight units. He returns to courtroom within the early hours of Thursday morning for his second-round conflict with Francesco Maestrelli at Rod Laver Arena.