Novak Djokovic comments on ATP Tour’s generation gap and defends young players

The Media are too tough on younger players, insists Novak Djokovic.
Three of the four semi-finalists for the ATP Finals are in their 30s, with Djokovic himself, Roger Federer, and Kevin Anderson three of the stand-out stars on the tour this season continuing to impress.
Alexander Zverev is the only of the younger players to have made it this far, and he has previously commented that the pressure of the media is one factor in the NextGen players’ struggles to make a breakthrough at the top.
Asked whether or not he felt that warranted criticism of the younger players on the ATP Tour, Djokovic answered: “Not necessarily.
“I know you guys might be a little bit rough on them. I think there is a lot of quality in the new generation.
“Zverev is obviously the leader of that next generation. He has proven himself, established himself as a top player.
“He has won many Masters 1000 events already, I think three in his career, which is quite impressive.
“You have to give him credit for that, qualifying for World Tour Finals two years in a row.
“Then you have players like [Karen] Khachanov, of course, [Stefanos] Tsitsipas, [Borna] Coric.
“I think tennis is in good hands. At the same time I think us older guys, we’re still obviously working hard and working smart and trying to get the most out of what we have in ourselves left.
“How long that’s going to go for, we don’t know.
Obviously, experience plays an important role in this kind of matches, knowing how to kind of approach, play, behave in certain moments, how to deal and cope with pressure. So obviously that’s on our side.”
More from Tennis365:
Latest
-
WTA Tour
Heather Watson ends her quarter-final drought with win in Thailand – ‘It was just survival of the fittest’
Heather Watson will now face Chinese seventh seed Xinyu Wang.
-
Tennis News
Toni Nadal shares thoughts on fans’ hostility toward Novak Djokovic as well as Rafael Nadal’s future
Toni Nadal on why Novak Djokovic has so many detractors.
-
Tennis News
Stunning LTA numbers confirm tennis participation is booming in Britain
New figures have revealed that there has been a 47 per-cent increase in tennis participation in clubs and parks across Britain.
-
WTA Tour
Aryna Sabalenka’s 2023 tennis schedule: Where is she competing next and her season so far…
A look at Aryna Sabalenka’s possible tournaments for the 2023 season.
-
News
Serena Williams welcomes Tom Brady to ‘retirement world again’ as she opens up about her final match ‘regret’
“Sad to see you go,” Serena Williams told Tom Brady.
-
Tennis News
Elina Svitolina urges IOC to ‘stick to banning Russian and Belarusian athletes’ for Paris 2024 Olympics
Elina Svitolina wants a united front when it comes to sanctions imposed against Russia and Belarus.
-
Tennis News
Marion Bartoli latest to criticise Elena Rybakina’s coach Stefano Vukov – ‘I just can’t take that any more’
Marion Bartoli basing her opinion on Elena Rybakina’s coach Stefano Vukov on incidents she witnessed herself.
-
Australian Open
Australian Open viewing figures need context amid Novak Djokovic snipes
TV viewing figures for Australian Open may appear to be disappointing, yet raw figures only reveal part of the story.
-
Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios on crutches as his manager gives fitness update
Everyone is “really, really pleased” with Nick Kyrgios’ recovery.
-
WTA Tour
Iga Swiatek’s 2023 tennis schedule: Where is she competing next and her season so far…
A look at Iga Swiatek’s possible tournaments for the 2023 season.