Novak Djokovic is great. This is demonstrated by all of his achievements and the contribution he made to tennis at the age of 36. Some even consider the Serbian not only a great tennis player, but also a legendary athlete. Like, for example, Novak’s former coach, Boris Becker.
“For me he is the Lion King. We do everything we can to teach tennis fans what can’t be taught. What has this player won in the last 16 or 17 years! And perhaps playing his best tennis at 36 years old. He was that age right before the Grand Slam. This is out of this world!
Maybe we should look at it more broadly: he is not only the best tennis player of the moment, but also the best athlete. I want to compare him to Lionel Messi, LeBron James and Tom Brady; “For me this is the category that Novak Djokovic belongs to, because all of these athletes are still dominating or dominating their sport even at that age,” Becker said. eurosport.de.
Novak Djokovic
Photo: Getty Images
Thus, Djokovic was put on par with Messi. Is there really anything in common between them?
They are both the same age and hold the record.
First of all, Novak and Lionel were born the same year, one month apart. And at the age of 36, they both achieved significant achievements. Messi in football became the record holder for Ballon d’Ors (eight in total and four in a row), scored the most goals in one year (91) and for one club (672, Barcelona), and was also the only. score goals at each stage of a world championship.
Djokovic has also achieved a lot in tennis. Novak is the only one who has won 24 Grand Slams, 40 Masters and 7 Finals. He was also the number one racket in the world more often than anyone else at the end of the season (8), led and continues to lead the ATP ranking for the longest time and also leads the number of prize money.
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Both are examples for the younger generation.
Messi and Djokovic have clashed publicly on several occasions. And after one of these meetings, Novak shared his opinion on how he and Lionel influence the younger generation.
“As a sports fan, as a football fan, of course I admire Messi and respect him a lot. I think most of the world is satisfied with his achievements. He is a modest, simple guy who does not lose his head in the face of success. All these years, it seems to me, serve as a great example for all the children who admire him, want to be like him,” Novak shared his opinion about Messi with Tennis.com.
“I want to believe that people, especially children and young people, see themselves in me. I try to always keep this in my head, no matter what I do, no matter where I go, no matter what I say. I hope that many children pick up the racket while watching me or other tennis players,” the Serbian added to himself.
Together, Djokovic and Messi were among the 100 most influential athletes in the world. Although it was in 2012.
They both have a phrase for two.
“What are you looking at, idiot? Get out!” – a phrase that unites Messi and Djokovic.
The footballer was the first to say this during the 2022 World Cup. After the quarterfinal match with the Netherlands team, Messi gave an interview, but was distracted by Dutch forward Wout Weghorst and sent him off. The phrase launched by Lionel towards Vout spread across the Internet. She was later caught by Djokovic.
During the 2023 Australian Open, Novak made a comedy video with Diego Schwartzman. In it, the Serbian throws Messi’s now legendary phrase to a passing Argentine.
Djokovic and Messi are already great athletes. Although his career is not over yet. And they will probably break more than one record.
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