John McEnroe’s honest Novak Djokovic confession as he makes Jannik Sinner claim
Former world No 1 John McEnroe admits Novak Djokovic had already shown more mental strength than he did when young guns started firing at his heels.
McEnroe was the dominant player at the top of the men’s game in the mid-1980s, but he conceded he didn’t have the willpower to fight the next generation as they overpowered him.
Crediting Djokovic for sustaining his dominance at the top of men’s tennis for so long, McEnroe believes Jannik Sinner may have unlocked the key to ending the Serbian’s reign at the top of men’s tennis.
“I have to hand it to Novak playing these young guys and wanting to take them on,” McEnroe told Eurosport.
“I have to be honest when I played (Pete) Sampras and (Andre) Agassi, it made me want to retire! These guys were just too good.
“Novak has had a different approach, but there is no doubt Sinner has shown he can be beaten.
“It was a controlled aggression. He was going after him in this match, but he had some safety in his game as well, so I credit him for that.
“I think he showed more than anything his mental toughness. He was that close to winning it (in the third set) against a guy who has won it ten times.
“Novak had the crowd fired up, but he stepped right up in the next set as if it hadn’t even happened, as if he had won the tie-breaker. I was super impressed that he pulled it together so quickly.”
Former British No 1 Tim Henman also highlighted Sinner’s mental strength as he saluted the Italian’s stunning victory.
“Even more satisfying is when he [Sinner] had match point in the third set and he did, by his own admission, get a little bit tight on the forehand,” said Henman.
“You think, wow, having lost to Djokovic with a two-set lead at Wimbledon, is history going to repeat itself? He’s a better player; he’s more mature.
“He’s beaten Djokovic, and he didn’t panic. He’s talked so much about the process and the way he’s been playing. He was hitting his spots and dictating from the back of the court. It didn’t go his way at the end of the third set, but no panic, and a phenomenal effort and achievement.
“I love the way he reacted after winning; there was no massive, wild celebration because he views this as part of the journey. He’s through to the final but he wants to win his first Slam.”
READ MORE: When could Jannik Sinner replace Novak Djokovic as the new world No 1?
Former British No 1 Laura Robson suggested Djokovic’s popularity in Melbourne ensured a curiously downbeat atmosphere after the match.
“The atmosphere in Garden Square was slightly muted when Sinner won because there’s a lot of Djokovic fans,” she said.
“They had their flags, and were ready to celebrate and make it more of the same of what they saw last year, but Sinner crashed the party totally. He was outstanding from start to finish. I love that he didn’t get disappointed after having the match point in the third set.
“He just kept committed to the game plan even more. It feels like we’ve felt this result coming; from the last few months and end of last year especially.
“But to do it in a best-of-five match at a Grand Slam with so many people who didn’t think that he could do it based on his performance at Wimbledon last year, just phenomenal. Such a nice guy as well.
“So easy to chat to; he’s always got such a good energy around him and his team. I’m sure there are a lot of happy people in the locker who’ve been waiting for this to happen for him.
“He’s a muted guy, and to finish with a forehand winner would be exactly how he planned it in his head. I wouldn’t expect anything else from him; I wouldn’t expect to see him fall to the floor, and should he win on Sunday, I’m sure we’ll see more of the same.
“A cheeky hands up, one fist pump maybe, but it would be weird if we saw him fall to his knees and start crying. I’d be confused.”
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