Novak Djokovic can win 'at least three more' Slams, says John McEnroe after 10th Australian Open triumph

Published 29/01/2023 at 13:35 GMT

Can Novak Djokovic achieve 25 singles Grand Slams in the men's game? Eurosport's John McEnroe thinks so, highlighting that Djokovic's GOAT rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer both won multiple majors when they were past their 35th birthday. Djokovic will turn 36 just ahead of the French Open, which represents the next of his "possible 12 opportunities" for more Slams, as Tim Henman put it.

'I could easily see him winning at least three more' - McEnroe on Djokovic's Grand Slam tally

Novak Djokovic can win "at least three more" majors, reckons John McEnroe after the Serb's momentous 2023 Australian Open victory took him to a record-equalling 22 Grand Slam singles crowns.

Djokovic's jointly holds that record with Rafael Nadal, who departed early on in the Melbourne event with an injury-hit defeat to Mackenzie McDonald.

With Nadal historically so dominant at the French Open - and that being the next Grand Slam of the year - that tournament at Roland-Garros, live on Eurosport, could be a mouthwatering showdown between the two greats as they vie for No. 23.

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John McEnroe, talking after Djokovic's convincing final win over Stefanos Tsitsipas, reckons the Serb can pick up multiple majors as he ticks into his late 30s.

"I don’t know how many more he’s going to win, but it’s hard to see him not win a minimum of two or three more," McEnroe said on Eurosport's Australian Open coverage.

"Roger [Federer] won three from 35 onwards, Rafa won three.

"Novak is probably the best of those three athletically. He hasn’t had a lot of injuries, so I could easily see him winning at least three more.

"I believe him [when the Serb says it’s his biggest victory, with all that’s happened in the last year]. I’ve never seen Novak so emotional.

"He’s unbelievably resilient and is a tremendous asset to our game. He’s a phenomenal athlete and player, as well as a phenomenal person.

"Novak is a master at self-motivation, finding more ways to get hungry, doing what it takes to improve. It takes a lot of dedication.

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"That’s why the three guys [Djokovic, Nadal and Federer] are where they are. They’re hungrier than the other players, more disciplined, and do whatever it takes."

Alongside McEnroe in the Eurosport Cube was Tim Henman, and he highlighted Djokovic's physical durability as the main reason why the Serb could have as many as 12 more chances to win more majors.

"[His run] can keep on going," Henman said. "There’s the mental side of that challenge, still putting in the work and commitment to travel and train.

"We’ve seen the physical side - with others at older ages, there are more injuries - but with Novak, yes, he had an earlier injury, but you see the way he’s moving and his flexibility shows that he could go on for another two or three years at the highest level.

"That’s another 12 opportunities for more Grand Slam titles."