Chris Evert Will Be ‘Surprised’ If Novak Djokovic Wins His 25th Grand Slam Title
Novak Djokovic last won a Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open and since then, he reached a Major final just once, at the 2024 Wimbledon.
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Chris Evert, Novak Djokovic (Image via ESPN Press Room, X/We Are Tennis)
Novak Djokovic will turn 38 about a week later. At this age, one of his biggest rivals, Rafael Nadal, called him on his career at the Davis Cup last year.
Last year, after becoming an Olympic champion for the first time in Paris, he said multiple times that his goal was to play the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. But even the man with 24 Grand Slam titles is failing to withstand the passage of time.
The year before 2024, Djokovic was predicted to tie or surpass Margaret Court‘s Grand Slam tally. But now, his injuries and early exits are making headlines all over the world.
He reached one final, however. But the title still eluded him. Amidst his trophy drought, Chris Evert too- though she cannot write the Serb off- implied that she cannot foresee Djokovic winning his 25th Grand Slam title.
I mean, you’ve got to give the guy credit. This guy’s won everything, more than anybody. I would never say he’s not going to win, but I would be surprised. I would be pleasantly surprised, just with his results in the past and he’s human…I’m not feeling it.
Chris Evert told Forbes
The lone final Djokovic played this year was at the Miami Open but he couldn’t go past youngster Jakub Mensik, who became a champion in ATP events for the first time in his career. This season, Djokovic registered three consecutive defeats twice, before and after the Miami Open.
After handing a walkover to World No.2 Alexander Zverev in the semifinal of the Australian Open, Djokovic lost his opening round matches of the Qatar Open and Indian Wells. Then after Miami, he got knocked out of his first two clay-court events, the Monte Carlo Masters and the Madrid Open, without winning even a set.
Djokovic then withdrew from the ongoing Italian Open, skipping it for the first time since 2007. He last won the title in the Italian capital in 2022.
Milos Raonic reveals his experiences of playing Novak Djokovic
Milos Raonic gave a hypothetical example to explain why he couldn’t make a clear strategy when he faced Novak Djokovic. Raonic said if he lose a match with a 7-6, 6-4 scoreline and feel satisfied, thinking he gave his best, watching the match later on would make him feel that Nole didn’t really give any chances to him.
The strategy wasn’t clear when you played Novak. The other two [Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal], it was clear what you needed to do. With Novak, it was like, what do I need to do this time?
Milos Raonic told The Changeover Podcast
The Canadian said he had a clear strategy when he faced Federer and Nadal. Federer had an 11-3 head-to-head record against Raonic, while against Rafa, he won two matches out of the 10 they played against each other. Raonic was unsuccessful in defeating Djokovic in their 12 encounters.
Novak Djokovic to play the Geneva Open before the French Open
Novak Djokovic, after withdrawing from the Italian Open, received a wild card for the Geneva Open. He will aim to get some match practice on the red dirt before the second Grand Slam event of the season- the French Open, where he last won a title in 2023 (his third).
Last year as well, Djokovic participated in the ATP 250 event and reached the semifinal but couldn’t go past Tomas Machac. He produced his best on clay last year when he won the Paris Olympic gold medal at Roland Garros.
Since then, he reached two finals: at the Shanghai Masters and the Miami Open. In Grand Slam events, on the other hand, Djokovic last won a title at the 2023 US Open.
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