“He’s added another year or two to his career” Mats Wilander believes that the vaccination fiasco around Novak Djokovic this season has only strengthened him mentally


“He’s added another year or two to his career” Mats Wilander believes that the vaccination fiasco around Novak Djokovic this season has only strengthened him mentally

Mats Wilander and Novak Djokovic

7-time Grand Slam champion and tennis expert Mats Wilander has spoken about Novak Djokovic’s 2022 season and put light on his state of mind amidst so many hardships. Djokovic had a terrible start to the year as he was deported from Australia due to his vaccination status. Throughout the year, he wasn’t allowed to compete in Australia and North America for the same reason.

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Despite everything, Djokovic still managed to win 5 titles in 2022 including Wimbledon and the ATP Finals, and also finished the season inside the Top 5. Wilander said that since Djokovic was so close to being allowed to go to the US Open and the Australian Open, that didn’t hamper his practice much.

“Novak has been so close to being allowed to go to the Australian Open and so close to being allowed to go to the US Open, that it would have never affected his training blocks or his practice sessions. I think because he wasn’t allowed to go, I think obviously physically it might be a tough thing for him to play five sets, seven matches, but he can deal with that,” Wilander said.

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Mats Wilander on Novak Djokovic’s emotional strength after the vaccination debacle

Novak Djokovic - IMAGO / Xinhua
Novak Djokovic – IMAGO / Xinhua

The 58-year-old further added that barring the physical capabilities, this vaccination fiasco has added a couple of years to his career because he must definitely be upset over what happened and that will fuel him.

“But emotionally, I feel like he’s added another year or two to his career because he must probably be slightly upset about what happened. But obviously, Novak understands completely what it is that happened and there’s nothing you can do about it. And is it right or wrong? It doesn’t really matter… So I think he’s able to understand that,” he said.

Wilander also said that Djokovic looks good and fresh. He expressed his shock over the Serb not being able to win the Paris Masters. Djokovic lost in the final of the Paris Masters to Danish teenager Holger Rune in three sets.

“But I think that he looks so fresh, he looks so good. I can’t quite understand or believe that he did not win the tournament in Paris [Djokovic lost in the final to Holger Rune]. I was shocked that he didn’t win that. But he played good enough and you can’t win everything,” he added.

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Djokovic ended the season by remaining undefeated in Turin and winning the ATP Finals for a record-equaling 6th time. He also bagged a record prize money of $4.7 million.

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