Toni Kroos Expresses Words of Admiration for Novak Djokovic at the 2026 Laureus Awards Ceremony

Novak Djokovic recently withdrew from the Madrid Masters.

Toni Kroos Expresses Words of Admiration for Novak Djokovic at the 2026 Laureus Awards Ceremony

Novak Djokovic and Toni Kroos (via Toni Kroos X account)

Former Real Madrid maestro Toni Kroos recently delivered massive praise for Novak Djokovic. This came as the 38-year-old Serbian superstar officially shattered yet another monumental tennis milestone by spending his 860th career week inside the ATP Top 5.

This dual spotlight on Djokovic cements his status as a living legend who seems to be actively defying Father Time. While the physical toll of a marathon career has recently forced him out of the Madrid Open, his sheer longevity and continued dominance over his peers remain entirely unparalleled in modern sports.

According to reports, the retired German midfielder didn’t hold back in his admiration for the 24-time Grand Slam champion. He cited his relentless work ethic and physical conditioning as the gold standard for athletes everywhere.

I admire Djokovic so much, he’s an athlete who has achieved so many things, he’s surpassed Roger and Rafa in titles and he keeps competing. I admire the way he takes care of his body, he’s already 38 years old and he moves like a 25-year-old tennis player. Everything he’s done in his career is spectacular.

Toni Kroos said in an interview

The stats certainly back up Kroos’s high praise. Djokovic’s 860 weeks in the top five pushes him past Roger Federer’s previous benchmark of 859 weeks, leaving Rafael Nadal further back in the rearview mirror at 837 weeks. Even more staggering is the breakdown of that tenure.

Out of those 860 weeks, a record 428 have been spent occupying the World No. 1 ranking. That is a completely different stratosphere of dominance, comfortably ahead of Federer’s 310 weeks at the peak of the mountain. The remainder of his top-five reign includes 171 weeks at No. 2, 165 weeks at No. 3, 59 weeks at No. 4, and 37 weeks at No. 5.

Trouble Looms on the Clay

But Father Time is undefeated, and he might finally be lacing up his sneakers for a serious bout with the Serbian star. A lingering shoulder issue recently forced Novak Djokovic to withdraw from the Madrid Open, adding a frustrating layer of concern to a heavily disrupted 2026 campaign.

Novak Djokovic (2)
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Sky Sports Tennis)

He currently holds a modest 7-2 record for the season and hasn’t stepped onto the competitive court since a shocking early exit at the Indian Wells Masters against Jack Draper.

Since then, he has skipped key stops in Miami and Monte Carlo, leaving his preparation for the grueling European clay-court swing hanging in the balance. At 38 years old, the physical demands of the tour are beginning to show, making every tournament absence a legitimate concern for his fanbase.

Stepping Out in Style

Despite the physical setbacks, Novak Djokovic isn’t exactly hiding away in a hyperbaric chamber. He recently made a massive splash on the red carpet at the Laureus Awards in Madrid. Donning a sharp tuxedo and signature sunglasses, he stepped into the role of co-host for the prestigious event.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/#AusOpen)

It was a rare public appearance since his March absence from the courts, and it came with plenty of hardware. Taking home a record-tying fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award in 2024, he proved that even when he isn’t swinging a racket, he remains the undisputed center of the sporting universe.

Looking ahead, the ultimate question is whether Djokovic can physically recover in time for the punishing red clay of Roland Garros. He is still hunting for an elusive, record-extending 25th Grand Slam title after falling short against Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open earlier this year.

His next scheduled tune-up is the Italian Open in May, but even that appearance remains clouded in uncertainty. If his body can cash the checks his relentless drive keeps writing, the rest of the ATP tour better brace for impact.

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