Follow us on Google Discover Novak Djokovic gears up to play in yet another ATP Final later today, facing Lorenzo Musetti for the title in Greece.
It marks yet another stellar week of action for the legendary veteran, who, despite being much older, continues to prove why he is still one of the very best players on the tour.
And, with a final showdown against a man against whom he holds a 9-1 career head-to-head record, the odds seem heavily in the Serbian’s favour to secure title number 101 later today.
However, despite the smooth and impressive nature of his week, there was still time for a moment of awkwardness with the media, speaking to one journalist about the current era of tennis in comparison to the prime years of his, which boasted the likes of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray.
One particular comment did not sit well with Novak Djokovic, and his response to the question actually drew an apology from the reporter.
Journalist apologises to Novak Djokovic over Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner question
Speaking to the media in Greece, the question posed to the 24-time Grand Slam winner sought to quote something Djokovic had supposedly said about Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the past.
He claimed: “Novak said that Sinner and Alcaraz raised tennis on another level…”, to which, bemused, Djokovic stated: “I didn’t say that.”
Photo by Costas Baltas/Anadolu via Getty Images
Expanding on what he really said, the 38-year-old added: “I said that those two play at a level above others currently. Have to show some respect to us.
“[There] has to be some respect for Roger, Rafa, Andy and me. That’s the level of tennis we want. Those two are level above others.”
The dispute was well received by all though, with the journalist promptly apologising, and Djokovic concluding by saying: “All is okay, [it] happens.”
Djokovic has yet to decide if he will play the ATP Finals next week, but ironically, he would end Musetti’s hopes with a win over him in the final later today.
Is Novak Djokovic actually being underrated?
It feels like, given the fact that he has competed at the highest level for so long, people are starting to forget just how good Djokovic is.
It’s worth remembering that he is 38 years of age, and therefore at least a decade older than the vast majority of his major competitors still on the ATP Tour.
And yet, he remains arguably the third-best player in the world, having reached the semi-finals of all four majors this year, only losing to one of Alcaraz or Sinner, his walkover in Melbourne aside.
It feels like his reduced schedule and inability to tackle this generation’s very best players are perhaps underplaying just how dominant he once was, and is instead imprinting a new memory on fans about his level.
At his best, Djokovic was an unstoppable force. If this is his worst, at the age he is and the players he has to compete against, it feels like there needs to be a reminder and subsequent celebration of just how good this superhuman veteran continues to be.