In a recent interview with French publication L’Equipe, French tennis player Richard Gasquet marveled at Novak Djokovic’s exceptional performance at the age of 36, drawing parallels to basketball legend Michael Jordan. Gasquet acknowledged Djokovic as an anomaly, stating, “It’s bound to get worse [with age]. Apart from Djokovic, who wins Grand Slams at almost 37 years old? Have we ever experienced this in sport, apart from perhaps [Michael] Jordan?”
Gasquet, currently ranked 131st in the world, shared his thoughts on Djokovic’s longevity in the sport, emphasizing the Serbian’s remarkable achievements at an age when most athletes experience decline. Djokovic, turning 36 in May last year, concluded an outstanding season in 2023, winning seven titles from 12 ATP events, claiming three Grand Slam tournaments, and finishing as the world No 1 for the eighth time.
In response to Gasquet’s remarks, Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios chimed in on Instagram, drawing an analogy between Djokovic and NBA legend LeBron James. Kyrgios stated, “No, he is LeBron [James]. LeBron is still doing this at 40. [Michael] Jordan stopped a lot earlier. And wasn’t as dominant.”
Kyrgios’ comparison underscores Djokovic’s sustained dominance in tennis, challenging the notion of age-related decline seen in other sports. Djokovic’s ability to maintain a high level of performance in his late 30s has been a topic of admiration and curiosity within the tennis community.
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While Gasquet acknowledged Djokovic’s anomaly, he also discussed his own struggles, noting a recent ranking drop and a challenging run of form. The 37-year-old expressed his perspective on the inevitable physical challenges of aging in professional tennis, stating, “I haven’t had good results in 2024. For three, four, months, I haven’t played very well.”
Gasquet, a 16-time ATP titlist, remains resilient despite his recent setbacks, emphasizing his commitment to the sport until the end. Despite losing his last nine ATP Tour level matches, Gasquet reflects on his career with no regrets, highlighting his dedication and the intrinsic satisfaction derived from pushing his limits.
As Djokovic continues to defy age-related expectations on the tennis court, the contrasting experiences of Gasquet serve as a poignant reminder of the physical toll professional sports can take as athletes navigate the later stages of their careers.
Nick Kyrgios in 2024
Ranked world no.470, Nick played his last match on the 13th of June 2023 when he lost to world no.139 Yibing Wu 7-5 6-3 in the 1st round in Stuttgart (draw).
Currently, during this year Kyrgios achieved a composed 0-1 match record.
Novak Djokovic in 2024
LWWWWWWLWW Now ranked no.1, Novak played his last match on the 26th of January when he lost to world no.4 Jannik Sinner 6-1 6-2 6-7(6) 6-3 in the semifinal of the Australian Open (draw).
Currently, during this year Novak owns a composed 7-2 win-loss record. Novak Djokovic’s latest run at the Australian Open was the best achievement of his season.
Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic played each other 3 times. Their head to head is 2-1 for Kyrgios. Previously, the last time they squared off, Novak Djokovic won 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6(3) in the final in London (Wimbledon) in July 2022.
Here the video highlights.
Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic |
| Embed from Getty Images |
