Novak Djokovic gives Grand Slam-winning legend ‘huge inspiration’ as the Big 3 are rated
Novak Djokovic’s gold medal moment at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris was a hugely inspiring moment for a player who is eager to follow in his footsteps in Los Angeles four years from now.
Wheelchair tennis legend Alfie Hewett has won it all in the sport, with his Wimbledon singles victory in July ticking off one of the big dreams for a player who has won a total of 30 Grand Slam titles, with many of those coming alongside doubles partner Gordon Reid.
Speaking exclusively to Tennis365 at a Lexus event, Hewett spoke about his passion for all forms of tennis, as he revealed 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic and his great rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have taught him some valuable qualities.
Hewett is being challenged by rising star Tokito Oda after a year that has seen the Japanese teenager beat Hewett in some crucial matches and he looks at the example set by the ‘Big 3’ in the men’s game for providing the blueprint for longevity in tennis.
“I take a lot of inspiration from Novak,” Lexus ambassador Hewett told Tennis365. “Especially his gold medal win at the Olympics this year.
“I watched all of it because maybe I can relate to it as my next big ambition is to get a gold medal in singles. That’s three years down the line, so I won’t worry about it for now, but to see him achieve that was amazing.
“His perseverance and his attitude to his tennis is incredible and that’s obviously the case for Federer and Nadal as well.
“Their attitude and styles are different, but the one thing they all have is incredible belief and determination in what they do. And they keep coming back for more.
“I can take so much inspiration from that, especially with young players coming into the wheelchair game now and raising their levels.
“I have a young player challenging me now in Tokito (Oda) and here is a player that you know is going to truly test you to your absolute limits.
“You have two options; you accept he is better or you try and improve yourself to compete with with him.
“Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray were the epitome of trying to raise the bar year after year and no matter who won what, they always come back stronger. That aspect of it, I find it truly remarkable.
“Tennis is all about mindsets and as we are seeing with Jannik Sinner now, he is so good on crucial points in matches. I look at that and think it’s something I could work on.
“Wheelchair tennis is different to able-bodied tennis, but I can take a lot from watching those guys.”
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Hewett admits he is passionate about all forms of tennis and while his focus is trained on adding to his legacy in his remarkable career, he doesn’t need any invitation to watch any tennis.
“I love the sport,” he added. “When I started playing tennis, I wasn’t too aware of what was happening on the able-bodied side of the sport because I was so fixated on what I was doing.
“Then especially over the last four or five years, I follow every tournament. I could probably sit here and list off the top 30 players in the world right now. I find it so fascinating and I can learn a lot from what they are doing.
“My partner hates it because I come back from a tennis tournament and the first thing I put on TV is the ATP Finals in Turin! She’s like, ‘really, you’ve been playing tennis all week and now you want more?’. I’m in my off-season and I just want to watch more tennis.”
