CNN
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Former tennis player and USA Davis Cup team captain Patrick McEnroe has said Novak Djokovic could win “four or five more” Grand Slams before retiring.
The Serb equaled Rafael Nadal’s record for most men’s Grand Slams after winning his 22nd Australian Open title on Sunday and looked pretty much unstoppable for most of the tournament.
“I think he can win four or five more,” McEnroe told CNN’s Amanda Davies. “Looks like he’s as healthy as ever.
“He’s the three-out-of-four favorite [grand slams] for the next one, I would say probably two years.
McEnroe says “everything is now back to normal in the world of men’s tennis” after Djokovic returned to the world No. 1 spot for a record 374th week.
Sunday’s victory was his 10th triumph at the Australian Open, making him the second man to win more than 10 titles in a single major tournament.
As fans have grown accustomed to watching Djokovic lift trophies, the Serbian’s emotional reaction to the win in Melbourne has drawn plenty of commentary.
The 35-year-old sobbed on the pitch while celebrating with friends and family, later telling reporters he had experienced an “emotional breakdown”.
It comes after a difficult 12 months for the Serb which began when Djokovic was unable to defend his title last year after being expelled from Australia in 2022 due to his Covid-19 vaccination status.
He was subsequently banned from playing at the US Open – again due to his vaccination status – as he found himself at the center of world news.
McEnroe says he thinks Djokovic is still playing with a “big chip on his shoulder” after all the controversy, which has helped make him an even bigger threat on tour.
“I think he’s played as well as he’s ever played, which is amazing at 35,” added McEnroe, who was a singles semi-finalist at the Australian Open in 1991 and doubles winner at the French Open in 1989.
“Think this guy just keeps getting better and even when he won the title you saw him pointing his head, pointing his heart, even then he was still stoic.
“But as soon as he went to see his family and his coaches in this box of players, all the emotions came out.”
McEnroe isn’t the only person predicting more success for Djokovic.
Australian star Nick Kyrgios said Twitter that the Serb “will easily reach 28 slams” after watching him beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets on Sunday.
If Djokovic adds more Grand Slam titles to his current tally, he will further claim his claim to be the greatest player in men’s tennis history.
This debate also includes Nadal, who is currently tied with Djokovic in Grand Slam victories, and Roger Federer, who retired after winning 20 Grand Slams.
Although he said it was too early to call Djokovic the greatest of all time, McEnroe said you could argue that Djokovic has the edge.
“His serve dominance has been a bit wider than those two legendary players,” he said.
“He’s also got better head-to-head against them both and better in other big tournaments, but there’s still a lot of tennis to play.”
If he stays fit, Nadal will be the favorite to add to his trophy cabinet at the next Grand Slam of the season at Roland Garros; a title he has won 14 times.
But Djokovic would then be the man to stop at Wimbledon and would be favorite again at the US Open if the authorities allow him to play this year, according to McEnroe.
