‘Novak Djokovic has everything – mentally he’s a beast’, says WTA star

Ewan West 25 Jun 2023 11:23 AM

Novak Djokovic in action

WTA star Paula Badosa has described men’s world No 1 Novak Djokovic as a “beast” mentally and as the “most complete” player.

The Spaniard also declared that “you can’t say anything other than that he’s the best” about the legendary Serbian.

Djokovic won a record 23rd men’s Grand Slam singles title with victory at the French Open earlier this month. The 36-year-old defeated Casper Ruud in straight sets in the final to claim his third Roland Garros crown.

Having also won the Australian Open in January, the world No 1 has won the first two majors of the season for the third time in his career.

The Serbian is a strong favourite to win Wimbledon next month. Victory at the All England Club would see him equal Roger Federer’s record of eight men’s singles titles.

In an interview with El Larguero, Badosa lauded the qualities Djokovic possesses in all areas.

“He has everything – mentally he’s a beast. With everything he’s been through, going out and competing like this. Competing and being so superior in every competition seems crazy to me,” said the 25-year-old.

“And tennis-wise he’s the most complete. And physically he takes so much care of himself. It’s brutal. Right now, you can’t say anything other than that he’s the best. He’s shown it. The numbers are the numbers.”

World No 33 Badosa was forced to miss the French Open after suffering a stress fracture in her spine.

The Spaniard, who reached a career-high ranking of No 2 last year, revealed she could also miss Wimbledon due to the injury.

“The doctors have told me that it was a minimum of eight weeks. Five have passed. I said that I wanted to arrive, but I know that if I arrive it will not be 100%,” said Badosa.

“I am giving everything I have to recover and give everything. The injury is recovering quickly, but I want to try to hit the court this weekend to have a week to adapt. I’m pushing, I’m trying.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to play any Grand Slam and it’s hard for me mentally. The last word is going to be with the doctor. If he says, ‘yes it’s going to get worse’, I wouldn’t play there.”

Badosa last competed at the Italian Open last month, where she lost in the quarter-finals to Jelena Ostapenko.