Google News Mats Wilander thinks Novak Djokovic is 'playing percentage game' with his competition
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 6050
Mats Wilander thinks Novak Djokovic is "playing a percentage game" and telling his rivals that he is going to be a Grand Slam contender as long as he is still healthy. During an interview with CNN, Djokovic - who is set to turn 36 in May - said the Grand Slams and longevity are his top priorities at this stage of his career.
Djokovic, who captured a record 10th Australian Open title this past January, is tied with Rafael Nadal on the all-time Grand Slam record list with 22 Majors. Djokovic is still a very dominant force in the game and it is not a secret that winning more Grand Slams is his ultimate goal.
Wilander on the Djokovic longevity comment
“I think he's playing a percentage game right now. With longevity, that means he's going to win another two to five Grand Slam titles because his average is obviously more than one Grand Slam victory per year.
I think he's up at 1.3 or 1.4 Grand Slam victories a year since the first day that he won the Australian Open. I think he knows ‘if I just stay healthy, I'm going to have my opportunities and I'm going to be winning more Slams’, whether it's at Wimbledon, whether it's even at Roland-Garros, of course, the Australian Open, and then as well at the US Open.
Longevity means, ‘hey, guys, I'm not old, I feel young’. He looks young, and he's going to be winning majors as long as he's healthy. He's going to win, on average, one Grand Slam title per year that he still keeps playing.
I think that's what he's telling us," Wilander told Eurosport. In late May and early June, Djokovic will attempt to win his third French Open title. Nadal, who hasn't played since the Australian Open, is expected to return to action at the start of the clay season.
It will be interesting to see if Djokovic can prevent Nadal from making it all the way at the French Open again this year.
