‘Miraculous’ Novak Djokovic’s numbers ‘continue to astound’ Roger Federer’s former coach

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Novak Djokovic win another US Open title

Respected coach Paul Annacone has described what Novak Djokovic continues to achieve as “miraculous” and is astounded by the numbers he has compiled in his career.

Annacone, who coached tennis legends Roger Federer and Pete Sampras, also referenced a quote from the latter to explain how Djokovic keeps winning.

Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev in straight sets in the final of the 2023 US Open on Sunday to claim a record-extending 24th men’s Grand Slam title.

It was the 36-year-old’s fourth triumph at the hard-court major in New York in a record 10th final appearance.

This is the fourth season of the great Serbian’s career where he has won three of the four major tournaments – following 2011, 2015 and 2021.

Speaking on Tennis Channel, Annacone lauded Djokovic’s latest triumph and expressed his joy at witnessing the performance.

“Well for me, whenever I see matches like this I always try to put my student hat on and learn, right? And you see the result and you see what happened, but I always try to figure out why,” said the former world No 12.

“You know, when you look at the numbers of what Novak’s done throughout his career, they continue to just astound me. And you look at the pivotal moments. There’s about seven minutes in the second set where that match totally could have been flipped on its head.

“And magically and a way with will and expertise and experience, Novak gets through and turns that into a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 routine match – but not really. And so you’re trying to figure out why.

“And I just remember I have Pete Sampras whispering in my ear – because I used to ask him all the stuff – and he used to say, ‘You know what? Sometimes good just wins, but good doesn’t beat great very much.’ And you know, Medvedev is very good and he’s right there to being great. But Novak is an all-time great.

“And maybe there’s just not a why. Maybe it’s just that big moment. So as much as we try to figure it out, I tell you I used to have a full head of hair, I don’t anymore trying to figure it out. But now I just sit back and I just applaud. It is so much fun just to watch this guy do what he does. It’s absolutely miraculous.”

Annacone currently coaches world No 8 Taylor Fritz, who was beaten by Djokovic in the US Open quarter-finals.

READ MORE: ‘It is a long way for Carlos Alcaraz if he ever wants to catch Novak Djokovic’, says former world No 7

Novak Djokovic Paul Annacone

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