Mats Wilander claims French Open favorite and ‘humble’ Novak Djokovic can play till 40 unlike injury prone Rafael Nadal

Mats Wilander believes Novak Djokovic is favourite over Carlos Alcaraz for French Open 2023

Mats Wilander claims French Open favorite and ‘humble’ Novak Djokovic can play till 40 unlike injury prone Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal (Image via ATP Tour and Sky Sports)

The kind of fitness sport accepted in today’s era has given athletes a chance to prolong their careers. They are able to keep themselves in check and healthy. It has allowed them to be away from injuries. Even if a player gets injured he recovers quicker than ever.

In the tennis world the perfect example of ‘not looking your age’ is Novak Djokovic. His freshness on the court is everlasting. He sometimes seems to be younger than opponents 10 years younger than him. This has kept him going even at 36 without many issues. He still starts events as a favourite and most days wins them.

YouTube video

Former world no. 1 Mats Wilander weighed in on Djokovic’s current status. In a chat with Eurosport, he has clearly mentioned the secret to Djokovic’s longevity in the sport. “When you talk to Novak, he’s so humble these days. I actually think that is the main reason why he is able to keep going, because he does take it day by day. I think he can play until he’s 40 years old, he looks so young and is so fresh.

FS Video

He’s keen, he’s motivated – even in interviews with me!” said Wilander. Wilander rates the Serb’s kindness and humble nature as one of the prime reasons for his success. He also gives his fitness a lot of credit as he feels that staying young has helped him big time. Wilander believes Djokovic has 4-5 years of high-quality tennis left in him. If the Serb plays the way he is currently, Wilander will be bang-on with his prediction. Can Djokovic carry on like this? Time will tell us.

Related: “We are in the endgame!” – Tennis Twitter EMOTIONALLY reacts to Novak Djokovic contemplating his retirement after Rafael Nadal’s claim of 2024 possibly being his last year on tour

Wilander puts Djokovic ahead of Alcaraz for the RG23 bid

IMG COM 20230529 2011 17 6492
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz (Image via NDTV Sports)

For most Carlos Alcaraz is the favourite to win the 2023 Roland Garros. His 2023 has been near perfect. A shocker in Rome did take place but apart from that he has been unbeatable. However, the Swedish ace believes that Novak Djokovic has more potential than Alcaraz to lift the Paris prize. “I think if Alcaraz plays his best tennis, I think that it would be very difficult for anyone to beat him,” Wilander said.


“But you have to make him play worse, and I think Novak Djokovic is one of the few guys that can actually, somehow, make Alcaraz doubt himself, make Alcaraz come up with unforced errors which he doesn’t do against other players.” Having kept Djokovic the favourite, Wilander has said that if Alcaraz plays his best he won’t be beatable. However, Djokovic can make Alcaraz commit errors. That quality gives the Serb the much-required edge. Both Djokovic and Alcaraz will meet each other in the Semifinals if they keep on winning. It will be a much-awaited clash.

In case you missed it: