Novak Djokovic’s Michael Jordan-like longevity in tennis wows fellow pro Richard Gasquet – ‘I can’t explain it’
Richard Gasquet has compared Novak Djokovic to NBA great Michael Jordan as he has marvelled at his longevity in tennis.
Djokovic, 36, won three Grand Slam titles last year and is one away from breaking the all-time record held by Margaret Court.
Gasquet, 37, says Djokovic’s continued high-level play deep into his career reminds him of Jordan, who won his last NBA title at the age of 35.
“Have we ever experienced this in sport, apart from perhaps Jordan?
“[Lionel] Messi plays in Miami, the others in Saudi Arabia, he is world No. 1… I can’t explain how a guy like that is so strong at that age.
“At 37-38 years old, normally you are not as good as at 25. I never thought I’d be playing the year I turned 38. Unimaginable.”
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Djokovic is next set to play when he makes his return to Indian Wells next month.
He has a 13-1 winning record against Gasquet, who has slipped down to No. 131 in the world this year.
It is the first time he has been outside the top 100 since 2005.
“It was a bit difficult,” he says about the fall in ranking.
“I knew it was going to happen one day or another. I didn’t think I would stay in the 100 for so long.
“I suspected that after Auckland [when his points dropped off from winning the title last year] it would become inevitable.
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“It’s just that you shouldn’t suffer on the court. That’s what will make me stop: physical pain. If I feel I can no longer win a match, or if I’m in pain, if I can no longer arch, no longer make the effort…It’s a bit harder than last year.
“I haven’t had good results in 2024. For three, four, months, I haven’t played very well. There was a little setback, though…[Andy] Murray had it too. You feel like you have a little less legs.
“As long as there is a little spark…I don’t have any particular pressure. When things have to stop, they’ll stop by themselves.
“The good thing is that I would have given until the end and I have no regrets. I’ve already pushed it this far…”
Asked about a potential farewell this season, Gasquet added: “When you’re French, it’s either Roland-Garros or Bercy. As did Jo [Wilfried-Tsonga] and Gilles [Simon] I think about it a little, but not too much.”
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