Wimbledon 2023: Novak Djokovic is only ‘brilliant’ to be able to win 30 Grand Slams – Mats Wilander

According to Eurosport tennis expert Mats Wilander, Novak Djokovic is showing «the best ever version of himself» and could win 30 Grand Slams.

Djokovic took a small step into history on Tuesday when he overcame Andrey Rublev to reach the semifinals of Wimbledon.

The Serb is chasing history with a 24th Grand Slam and eighth Wimbledon title, matching men’s Roger Federer’s record and one place behind nine-time champion Martina Navratilova.

After winning the Australian Open and French Open earlier this year, the 36-year-old will also keep an eye on the Calendar Slam.

Given his current form, it seems like a daunting task to try to stop him. And in a warning to his rivals, Wilander said Djokovic – despite his age – is only getting stronger.

«For me, Novak Djokovic is not only the best ever compared to everyone else, for me in 2023 we have seen the best version of Novak Djokovic,» Wilander said.

“The way he won the Australian Open was incredible, he hit his forehand harder than ever, is it because he has a bit of a nagging injury to his right leg, is he more relaxed? I do not think so.

“Then the French Open and the way he played there in the semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz, was absolutely unbelievable. Same thing, spelling at the age of 36.

«Is it a matter of age and he realizes he needs to be more aggressive because he won’t recover from long games like he did when he was 26? With this, he is a better player and hits the ball harder.

“He is also getting smarter, and he was very smart as a young player. Tennis IQ is showing up more in his game.

“Every aspect of his game now looks a little bit better than it used to, maybe not the movement because of age, but for me he is not only the best in the south but He’s also the best version of himself.

“I think you have to compare with Roger and Rafa. [Nadal]. Unfortunately, Roger at the end of his career, his last match was at Wimbledon and he lost the final set 6-0. Federer looked a bit slow in that match.

«When Nadal came back and won the Australian Open last year, it was an unbelievable effort that I’m not sure we’ll see. It took a while for him to come back and I’m not sure, he’s shown his age at times, but the experience has put him past Medvedev. Then he came in and won the French Open and he was just as brilliant.

«Sometimes it’s been a roller coaster ride for him but that’s natural, you can see him slow down a bit sometimes. He also changed his game to play more aggressively.

“With Novak it’s no different, the moves are similar, he looks the same, his body is stronger, he’s basically the best version of himself ever. «

Wilander continued: «I don’t understand why he can’t win 28, 29, 30 Grand Slams. He’s the favorite at Wimbledon which makes him the favorite at the US Open, he’s the favorite at the Australian Open because he’s been 10 times champion, he’s the defending champion at the French Open this year after.

«I don’t see any signs that tell me he’s slowing down, I see a lot of signs that tell me he’s getting better.»

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