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regular-article-logo Friday, 10 May 2024

Wimbledon: Praise from Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

John McEnroe felt Djokovic’s ability to play his best tennis under pressure can help him win at least five more grand slam titles

Agencies London Published 13.07.21, 03:29 AM
Roger Federer.

Roger Federer. File photo

After Novak Djokovic earned his 20th grand slam title conquering Matteo Berrettini on the Wimbledon Centre Court on Sunday, accolades poured in from the tennis fraternity, specially from the duo he caught up with — Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Federer, who has a record eight Wimbledon crowns among his 20, tweeted: “Congrats Novak on your 20th major. I’m proud to have the opportunity to play in a special era of tennis champions. Wonderful performance, well done!”

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Nadal, the undisputed king of clay with 13 French Open titles under his belt and who lost to Novak in this years semi-final at Roland Garros tweeted: “20 grand slam titles is huge and it is amazing that we are three players tied on this. Well done and congrats to you and your team!”

Berrettini was effusive in the praise of his conqueror. “For sure, he was better than me. Well done to him, he is writing the history of the sport and he deserves all the credit,” he said after the match.

Goran Ivanisevic, Djokovic’s coach and former Wimbledon champion, was elated.

“I won this tournament as a player, now I won as a coach. I don’t have to come anymore,” he said after the match. “With Novak, it’s like in the movies, you have to kill him 27 times to win. He keeps getting up.”

He added that the debate over the Greatest Player of All Time (GOAT) could be settled if the Serb wins the US Open and completes the calendar grand slam. “If he wins the US Open, it (the GOAT debate) is over.”

Australian legend Rod Laver, who owns 11 grand slam titles and was the last man to win a calendar grand slam way back in 1969, said: “Congratulations Novak. Amazing achievement, you are on your way to a (calendar) grand slam.”

John McEnroe felt Djokovic’s ability to play his best tennis under pressure can help him win at least five more grand slam titles.

The American legend said: “I think he’ll probably win at least four or five more ... depending on staying healthy.”

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