Novak Djokovic’s reputation as the greatest tennis player ever has only grown over the years, and few know what it’s like to play him more than Juan Martín Del Potro.
The likeable Argentine spent much of his career facing Djokovic, a 24-time major champion, and it rarely went in his favour.
When asked if he expects that could change at any time soon, though, he replied: “No. Maybe it can happen in some matches, but not in terms of rankings or whatever. Djokovic can handle everything.”
Del Potro thinks it could be very similar to how Roger Federer handled things late in his career before eventually retiring from tennis at the age of 41.
Juan Martín Del Potro and Gabriela Sabatini share their thoughts on Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam prospects
Speaking alongside fellow Argentine and Grand Slam champion Gabriela Sabatini, both were quick to stress how difficult it is to ever rule out a player of Djokovic’s stature.
Asked about Djokovic’s chances of adding a 25th major title, Sabatini responded: “Well, ah, he always has the biggest chance.”
Del Potro agreed without hesitation: “Yeah… he’s Djokovic.”
Sabatini then elaborated: “Any surface, I would say. He has shown that, you know, he’s won on every surface, so he has chances in every single tournament he plays.”
Del Potro wrapped up the conversation by sharing his hopes for Djokovic before retirement: “I would like to see him win the 25th Grand Slam.”
Novak Djokovic’s retirement timeline: What to expect
Given his stated retirement plans, Novak Djokovic is still likely to give himself plenty of chances to chase down that 25th Grand Slam title.
Rumours about when he might step away from the sport have been swirling for years, but he remains firmly at the top of the game.
Djokovic has indicated he’s not going anywhere just yet, saying recently: “I wish to retire at the 2028 Olympic Games with the Serbian flag in my hands.”
The Serb captured his first Olympic Gold Medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, a feat many viewed as completing his already remarkable career.
Juan Martín Del Potro and Gabriela Sabatini discuss the Roland Garros Junior Series
Del Potro and Sabatini were both supremely enthusiastic when discussing Djokovic’s greatness, but arguably held even more excitement for the enterprise they were endorsing.
After all, both are ambassadors for the Roland Garros Junior Series, an event that has been running since 2022 and seeks to fast-track the development of tomorrow’s champions.
Being held in Sao Paulo, it welcomes 32 of South America’s most talented under-17 players to battle it out for a wild card into the juniors’ draw of the real event.
Discussing what drew them to partnering with this hugely forward-thinking initiative, Del Potro began by claiming: “Well, it really looks like a Grand Slam.”
Sabatini agreed, laughing as she added: “It does. It’s like you’re at Roland Garros.”
“And then now, we’re going to see the semi-final matches together and being in the crowd, watching them, is a great experience.”
This prompted Sabatini, who won the US Open in 1990 and reached the semi-finals of the Roland Garros proper on five occasions, to once again echo that sentiment: “Yeah, I mean, it is a great honour. And to be able to communicate or talk to them and see them. It’s very unique.
“So yeah I think we’re both very proud and also for us to share this moment together.”
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