Wimbledon 2023: Novak Djokovic only ‘getting better’ and could win 30 Grand Slams – Mats Wilander

Novak Djokovic is showing the “best-ever version of himself” and could win 30 Grand Slams, according to Eurosport’s tennis expert Mats Wilander.

Djokovic took a small step closer to history on Tuesday when he came from a set down to beat Andrey Rublev and reach the Wimbledon semi-finals.

The Serb is pursuing history in the form of a 24th Grand Slam and an eighth Wimbledon title which would equal Roger Federer’s men’s record and move him one behind nine-time champion Martina Navratilova.

After winning the Australian Open and French Open earlier this year, the 36-year-old will also have an eye on the Calendar Slam.

In his current form, it looks a difficult task to try and stop him. And in a warning to his rivals, Wilander said Djokovic – despite his age – was only getting stronger.

“To me, Novak Djokovic is not just the best ever compared to other people, for me in 2023 we have seen the best version of Novak Djokovic,” said Wilander.

“The way he won the Australian Open was incredible, he was hitting the forehand harder than he ever has before, was it because he had a bit of a nagging injury in his right leg, did he relax more? I don’t think so.

“Then at the French Open and the way he played there in the semi-finals against Carlos Alcaraz, absolutely incredible. Same thing, dictating at 36 years old.

“Is it an age thing and he’s realised he needs to be more aggressive because he is not going to rebound after long matches the same as when he was 26? With this he is a better player and hits the ball harder.

“He is also getting smarter and smarter, and he was already smart as a young player. The tennis IQ is coming out more in his game.

“Every aspect of his game seems a bit better now than it’s ever been, maybe not the movement because of the age, but for me he is not just the best in the men’s side, but the best version of himself.

“I think you have to compare with Roger and Rafa [Nadal]. Unfortunately, Roger towards the end of his career his last match was at Wimbledon and he lost the last set 6-0. Federer looked a bit slow in that match.

“When Nadal came back and won the Australian Open last year that was an unbelievable effort that I wasn’t sure we were going to see. It took some time for him to come back and I wasn’t sure, he showed his age at times, but experience got him over the line against Medvedev. Then he comes and wins the French Open and he is so good again.

“It’s been a rollercoaster for him at times but it’s natural, you can see he’s slowing down at times a bit. He’s also changed his game to play more aggressively.

“With Novak there’s no difference, the movement is similar, he looks the same, body wise he is stronger, he is basically the best-ever version of himself.”

Wilander continued: “I don’t know why he shouldn’t be able to win 28, 29, 30 Grand Slams. He is the favourite for Wimbledon which makes him the favourite for the US Open, he’s the favourite for the Australian Open because he’s won it 10 times, he’s the defending champion at next year’s French Open.

“I don’t see a sign that tells me that he is slowing down, I see a lot of signs telling me that he is getting better.”

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