Are we currently seeing the ‘best-ever version of Novak Djokovic’?
Novak Djokovic is “getting smarter and smarter” and just about every aspect of his game “seems a bit better than it’s ever been”, according to Mats Wilander.
The 2015 season is statistically Novak Djokovic’s best season as he won three Grand Slams, the ATP Finals, six ATP Masters 1000 titles and had an 82-6 (93.2%) win-loss record.
The Serbian took his 2023 tally to 32–4 on Tuesday by defeating Andrey Rublev in four sets to reach the semi-final at Wimbledon and remain on course to win a Calendar Grand Slam as he already has the Australian Open and French Open in the bag.
Having turned 36 in May, the 23-time Grand Slam winner seems to be ageing like a fine wine and former world No 1 Wilander waxed lyrical about Djokovic’s tennis IQ and other aspects of his game.
“To me, Novak Djokovic is not just the best ever compared to other people, for me in 2023 we have seen the best version of Novak Djokovic,” the Swede told Eurosport.
“The way he won the Australian Open was incredible, he was hitting the forehand harder than he ever has before, was it because he had a bit of a nagging injury in his right leg, did he relax more? I don’t think so.
“Then at the French Open and the way he played there in the semi-finals against Carlos Alcaraz, absolutely incredible. Same thing, dictating at 36 years old.
“Is it an age thing and he’s realised he needs to be more aggressive because he is not going to rebound after long matches the same as when he was 26? With this he is a better player and hits the ball harder.
“He is also getting smarter and smarter, and he was already smart as a young player. The tennis IQ is coming out more in his game.
“Every aspect of his game seems a bit better now than it’s ever been, maybe not the movement because of the age, but for me he is not just the best in the men’s side, but the best version of himself.
“I think you have to compare with Roger and Rafa [Nadal]. Unfortunately, Roger towards the end of his career his last match was at Wimbledon and he lost the last set 6-0. Federer looked a bit slow in that match.
“When Nadal came back and won the Australian Open last year that was an unbelievable effort that I wasn’t sure we were going to see. It took some time for him to come back and I wasn’t sure, he showed his age at times, but experience got him over the line against Medvedev. Then he comes and wins the French Open and he is so good again.
“It’s been a rollercoaster for him at times but it’s natural, you can see he’s slowing down at times a bit. He’s also changed his game to play more aggressively.
“With Novak there’s no difference, the movement is similar, he looks the same, body wise he is stronger, he is basically the best-ever version of himself.”
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