‘Novak Djokovic is the GOAT for reason that gets taken for granted’, claims esteemed coach

Ewan West
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Novak Djokovic celebrates
Novak Djokovic from Serbia during his tennis match

Tennis coaching icon Rick Macci has highlighted Novak Djokovic’s longevity and ability to stay healthy as the reason he is the greatest tennis player of all time. 

The American, a former coach of tennis legend Serena Williams, asserted that the health of athletes is taken for granted and argued it is “the wildcard in any sport.”

Djokovic has largely avoided significant injuries in his career and has remarkably won 12 of his 24 Grand Slams since turning 30 — an unprecedented level of success in this age bracket.

The 36-year-old Serbian enjoyed one of his finest ever seasons in 2023 as he claimed seven titles, including three of the four Majors. Djokovic also won the ATP Finals, two Masters 1000 events and finished the year as the ATP world No 1 for the eighth time.

The world No 1 will make his return to action at the Italian Open in Rome this week, having skipped the Madrid Open. Djokovic last featured at the Monte Carlo Masters, where he reached the semi-finals.

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Djokovic will face Roman Safiullin in his opening match at the Masters 1000 tournament, where he is seeking a seventh title.

Following his record-extending 24th Grand Slam triumph at the US Open in September, Djokovic discussed his remarkable ability to remain at the top of tennis despite his age.

“I think I was fortunate to stay most of my career injury-free and I focused a lot on the big picture, the long term and really invested in my body and my team and just wanted to maintain the level for as many years as possible,” he told Sky Sports at the Ryder Cup all-star match.

“Because I knew that if that happens, if I can have a long career, I’ll have my shots at the Grand Slam glory.

“Still at 36 going strong, I don’t think that the age affects me much, knock on wood I’m hoping that I can still have a few great years at Grand Slams, particularly because those are my highest goals and objectives and priorities.”

In a post on X / Twitter, Macci stressed the value of avoiding physical issues in sport after an injury-plagued 2024 Madrid Open, and he credited Djokovic for his durability.

“We take it for granted but health is the wildcard in any sport. Look at the NBA. Look at the NFL. Look at the last ATP event in Madrid,” wrote the American.

“Look at overall eye popping numbers of his duration and this why the ‘joker’ is ‘Mr. Goat’ and has earned so much admiration.”

Macci has worked with five players who achieved the world No 1 ranking in their careers: Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati and Andy Roddick. The 69-year-old also coached WTA Major champions Mary Pierce, Anastasia Myskina and Sofia Kenin.

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