‘Novak Djokovic can still win Grand Slams – it’s unique, it’s incredible’, says former world No 7
Former world No 7 Richard Gasquet has expressed his belief that Novak Djokovic can still win Grand Slam titles as he described the Serbian’s level at the age of 37 as “unique” and “incredible.”
At the majors in 2024, Djokovic was a semi-finalist at the Australian Open, a quarter-finalist at Roland Garros (where he withdrew due to injury), and a runner-up at Wimbledon, before he suffered a shock third round exit at the US Open.
The tennis icon’s 24th and most recent Grand Slam triumph was at the 2023 US Open, where he downed Daniil Medvedev in the final.
During a stellar 2023 season, Djokovic also won the Australian Open and the French Open, while he narrowly lost to Carlos Alcaraz in a blockbuster five-set Wimbledon championship match.
After winning seven tournaments in 2023, Djokovic’s only title of 2024 was his gold medal victory at the Paris Olympics. The 37-year-old delivered a stunning performance to overcome Alcaraz in a thrilling gold medal match.
The world No 7 will aim to win a record-extending 11th Australian Open crown this month, having lost in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International in his first event of the 2025 season.
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Speaking on RMC’s Super Moscato Show, Gasquet doubted whether there has ever been another athlete as strong as Djokovic at the age of 37.
“It’s possible that he’ll still win Grand Slams,” the 38-year-old Frenchman said.
“I don’t know if it’s ever happened, at 37, to be so strong in a sport, to be number 2 or 3 in the world, to say to yourself that he can still win Grand Slams. It’s unique, it’s incredible.”
In early 2024, Gasquet suggested Djokovic was an anomaly as he admitted he could not explain the 24-time major winner’s longevity.
“It’s bound to get worse [with age],” he told L’Equipe. “Apart from Djokovic, who wins Grand Slams at almost 37 years old?
“Have we ever experienced this in sport, apart from perhaps [Michael] Jordan? [Lionel] Messi plays in Miami, the others (footballers) in Saudi Arabia.
“I can’t explain why a guy like that is so strong at that age. At 37-38 years old, normally, you are much less good than at 25. You know that. At no time did I tell myself that I would play the year I turned 38. Unimaginable.”
Gasquet holds a 1-13 record against Djokovic, who he first played in 2006 and last faced off with in 2018. The 16-time ATP titlist is set to retire after this year’s French Open.
