Novak Djokovic ‘better than ever’ as experts predict ‘scary’ tally of Grand Slams after French Open glory

Eurosport’s experts have been lining up to pay tribute to Novak Djokovic after he clinched his 23rd Grand Slam singles title in the final of the French Open on Sunday.

Shorlty after Djokovic sealed the deal in Paris, the attention switched to whether he could go on and clinch a famous ‘Calendar Slam’ by winning Wimbledon and the US Open – a feat he came close to securing in 2021 as he fell at the final hurdle.

What was certainly clear to Eurosport’s Tim Henman, Mats Wilander and Barbara Schett was that Djokovic has somehow managed to improve once more and is now “better than ever” as he looks to add to his absurd tally of major titles.

“So many facets of his game are better,” Henman said. “He is hitting the ball harder, he doesn’t make unforced errors, he is moving better than ever.

“When you break it down shot for shot, his drop shot is better, and he is comfortable coming to the net. I think he is definitely playing better than he has ever played in his life, which is scary at the age of 36.

“He’s been very honest about these numbers. He was tied with Rafa on 22 and has now got to 23. In my mind, Margaret Court is ahead of him on 24 and I think that will be the next obvious target.

“He is very smart with his schedule and his career is defined by these four Slams, so it will all be about his preparation and the way he works up to these events. Wimbledon is only three weeks away, and he has to be a massive favourite there. With that burning desire, I wouldn’t put it past him winning No. 24 there.”

Wilander agreed that Djokovic is the “heavy favourite” to record his 24th Grand Slam title at SW19 in a few weeks’ time on the iconic grass courts at the All England Club.

“It’s unbelievable,” the tennis legend said. “We always spoke about, will it [a 23rd Grand Slam title] happen? He couldn’t have done it without Roger (Federer) and Rafa pushing him.

“It’s incredible that he can be injury-free, good every day, every surface. It’s just amazing. He is so far from being done, it seems. He is a pretty heavy favourite for Wimbledon and the US Open. I would like to know where it stops because he could get 26, 27 titles.”

Prior to the final, John McEnroe told Eurosport that he had a “cop out” answer for the endless GOAT debate in men’s tennis.

“I have the cop-out thing: think Nadal is the best ever on clay, Novak is the best on hard courts and Roger is the best ever, the most beautiful, on grass,” he said. “That’s what I would say so you get a little bit of all of them in there.

“But Djokovic has a winning record against all of them, he’s been world No. 1 more and he’s still going so strong. It’s incredible this guy, he’s like a human backboard.

“It’s a little bit like Serena Williams in the way she wouldn’t play for four, six months and then go and win a couple of majors. I think it’s pretty obvious that’s all he cares about; he embraces the idea, which is hard to do, that I want to be the all-time greatest, I want to hold all the records.

“That puts more pressure on you. I look at him at 36, I don’t know how he’s so great still physically and mentally.”

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