Russian tennis legend Yevgeny Kafelnikov says there isn’t any doubt that Novak Djokovic is the best of all time in tennis however the former two-time Grand Slam champion additionally provides that he has large issues over the Serb’s motivation going ahead just because he has now achieved every part attainable.
After surpassing Rafael Nadal on the all-time Grand Slam listing final 12 months and turning into the primary man with 24 Majors and likewise the first-ever tennis participant with 400 weeks on the world No. 1 spot, Djokovic now additionally has an Olympic gold medal.
Statistically, Djokovic has achieved greater than his two greatest rivals – Nadal and Roger Federer. And whereas some have been saying for a 12 months now that the GOAT debate is sealed and undoubtedly received by Djokovic, the Serb’s accomplishments have led to some questioning if he’s in competition for the best athlete of all time.
Requested about it, former world No. 1 and 2000 Sydney Olympics gold medalist Kafelnikov says Djokovic is “undoubtedly” within the top-3 of all-time athletes.
“There isn’t a query whether or not Novak is the best of all time in tennis, that’s for certain. Whether or not you may put him on the identical degree as Michael Jordan… I don’t, as a result of I grew up idolizing the best athlete of all time, which is Michael Jordan – all I wished was to observe him play dwell. To me, he’s at all times No. 1, however Novak is certainly among the many high three best athletes of all time, undoubtedly – all of the accomplishments, data that he has damaged, titles he has received…” Kafelnikov informed Tennis Majors.
Kafelnikov’s fears for Djokovic
After struggling some of the heartbreaking and devastating defeats of his profession within the Tokyo Olympics semifinal to Alexander Zverev, Djokovic vowed to get again stronger on the 2024 Paris Olympics. And after Tokyo, Djokovic spoke quite a few occasions about how vital was for him to get an Olympic gold medal and full his resume.
Now that Djokovic has every part he ever wished and mainly has nothing else to show, Kafelnikov fears it might be unattainable for the Serb to inspire himself. However even when that occurs, the 50-year-old Russian underlines that Djokovic has deserved to proceed taking part in for pure pleasure if he needs to and no person can criticize him for that.
“Novak stayed motivated as a result of he wished to win the gold medal. Proper now, it’s going to be onerous to search out the motivation. He doesn’t must show to anyone that he’s higher than Federer and Nadal, that’s for certain. What subsequent? I do not know. If he needs to proceed taking part in for the pure pleasure of taking part in, honest sufficient, no person will criticize him for that. Once more, he has achieved every part, I don’t understand how he can discover the motivation to go additional than he already has. That’s how I see it.” Kafelnikov defined.
Kafelnikov: Djokovic would have regretted all his life…
Earlier than Djokovic took to the court docket to face Carlos Alcaraz within the Paris Olympics closing, Kafelnikov wrote on X that it was an important match of the Serb’s profession. Contemplating that Djokovic beforehand had been in 37 Grand Slam finals, some discovered that declare as daring.
However Kafelnikov believes his assertion was totally in place as he is aware of what Djokovic has been saying for years – and provides that had the Serb misplaced – he would have had regrets over that his total life. Additionally, the Russian tennis legend talked about how some began saying solely after the ultimate that turning into an Olympic champion was “essential” for Djokovic.
“I’ve stated it earlier than – Olympic gold is as vital as a Grand Slam title. I tweeted the day earlier than the match that this closing was an important match of Novak Djokovic’s profession. I used to be completely certain about it. If Novak had misplaced on Sunday, he would have regretted all of it his life. He received and proved my feedback true afterwards. To be trustworthy, it’s so humorous seeing Novak’s followers on social media now – earlier than, they have been saying the Olympics weren’t vital, however now they discover it vital, saying that it was essential for him to win it,” Kafelnikov stated.
In the meantime, Djokovic did not wish to communicate or take into consideration his future after the Paris Olympics. When requested about his future plans and hopes, Djokovic stated: “I don’t know. To be trustworthy, in all probability for the primary time in my profession I do not wish to make plans or discuss what’s subsequent as a result of I labored for this medal so onerous, for thus a few years.”
