‘They can start putting Novak Djokovic’s initials on the trophy now’
The Australian Open trophy engravers have been told they can start etching Novak Djokovic’s name on the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup as it would take a miracle to stop him from winning the title this year.
That is the view of Djokovic’s fellow all-time tennis great Rod Laver.
World No 1 Djokovic is gunning for a record-extending 11th Australian Open crown and the title would also see him move to 25 Grand Slams.
The 36-year-old – who lost only one Grand Slam match last year – was in supreme form during his third-round match against Tomas Etcheverry on Friday as he brushed the 30th seed aside with a 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) victory.
Djokovic has dropped only two sets so far in the tournament and his victory over Etcheverry was his 31st win in a row at the Australian Open as he hasn’t lost a match at the season-opening Grand Slam since 2018.
Up next is Adrian Manarrino and Laver says he is “priming himself” for another final.
“He has all the shots, he knows exactly when he can play them, when he can’t play them,” 11-time Grand Slam winner, who is the only man to complete two Calendar Grand Slams, said.
“He’s priming himself to get through to the final.”
The Australian added: “He’ll lose a set somewhere in these five-setters and I’m thinking, ‘Is he having us on?’ because he could win this in two and two and two (6-2 6-2 6-2).”
Laver believes Djokovic’s tennis brain is key to his success as he also declared it is unlikely that anyone will stop the 36-year-old from winning the Australian Open title.
“He’s such a great athlete to begin with, but his mind also is tennis and so he sees it almost unfold in front of him, just what he should be doing. He’s a great champion,” the 85-year-old said.
“He serves well. His ground strokes are unbeatable.
“So I have to believe, unless someone miraculously plays their best tennis to knock him off they can start putting part of his initials on the trophy now.”
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Djokovic himself believes he is now starting to find his groove, which is a scary proposition for his rivals.
“I really think that I played my best tennis so far in the tournament,” he said. “Obviously still finding my groove, but this was much better than the first two rounds.
“Etcheverry is in form, he won quite comfortably against two great players – Andy Murray and Gael Monfils – in straight sets, I watched him play.
“I do have a positive score with him but I obviously didn’t maybe play my best tennis coming into the match but tonight I found my rhythm and I’m really pleased with the performance.”
