Novak Djokovic 2023 campaign labelled ‘best season in 50 years’ by legendary coach
Renowned tennis coach Brad Gilbert has described Novak Djokovic’s 2023 season as the “best year potentially” since the ATP Rankings were introduced 50 years ago.
The former world No 4 highlighted Djokovic’s age, record at Grand Slams and the fact he has missed several big tournaments as factors making his season so special.
Djokovic defeated world No 10 Holger Rune in three sets in his first match at the 2023 ATP Finals, with the victory securing a record-extending eighth ATP year-end No 1 finish.
The great Serbian has won six titles, earned 52 wins and lost only five matches in 2023 to date, giving him an outstanding 91.2% win rate. This is the fourth season of his career where he has won three of the four Grand Slam tournaments, following 2011, 2015 and 2021.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion admitted following his win over Rune, though, that he does not rank this as his greatest ever year, while highlighting his stunning 2011 and 2015 campaigns.
The 36-year-old is seeking a seventh title at the ATP Finals, having claimed a sixth triumph at the year-end championships last year to tie Roger Federer’s record.
Djokovic will take on world No 4 Jannik Sinner in his second round-robin match in the Green Group in Turin on Tuesday night, before facing Stefanos Tsitsipas.
READ MORE: Alexander Zverev issues Novak Djokovic warning to the chasing pack
In a post shared on Twitter, Gilbert explained why he feels we are witnessing the best season since the ATP Rankings were established in 1973.
“This is 50th year of [the] ATP Tour. ‘Djoker’, his amazing eighth number one finish, 27-1 in Slams, missed 4 hard-court [Masters] 1000’s, hasn’t lost before finals since May, at 36 years young I will put this as best year potentially on men’s tour in 50 years,” wrote the American.
this is 50th year of @atptour Djoker @DjokerNole his amazing 8th number one ☝️ finish, 27-1 in slams, missed 4 hardcourt 1000’s hasn’t lost before finals since May, at 36 years young i will put this as best year potentially on men’s tour in 50 years
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) November 13, 2023
Gilbert added in another Tweet that Djokovic’s 2011 season – which he started by winning his first 41 matches and seven tournaments – was “incredible” too.
The 62-year-old currently coaches WTA world No 3 Coco Gauff, who has won titles in Washington and Cincinnati – as well as her maiden Major at the US Open in September – since linking up with Gilbert in August.
The 20-time ATP titlist coached American greats Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick to Grand Slam titles and the world No 1 ranking. Roddick described Gilbert as a “genius” after Gauff appointed him, while Agassi once labelled him the “greatest coach of all-time.”
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