Former WTA #1 Jelena Jankovic from Serbia has expressed her respect for compatriot Novak Djokovic as she called him “a true ambassador” of Serbia.
The 39-year-old hailed Djokovic for cracking a formula that enables him to make supernatural gains in men’s tennis. Djokovic has clinched a men’s record 24 Grand Slam titles, most Masters 1000 crowns (40) and the most year-end championships (7). Currently sitting on the top of men’s tennis, Djokovic has also finished the most seasons as year-end World No. 1 (8 seasons) while also having the most weeks as #1 player with 418 weeks.
The 36-year-old sealed 7 titles including 3 Grand Slam titles during a stellar 2023 season. It was the fourth season of his career where he won three of the four majors as he did the same in 2021, 2015 and 2011.
The legendary Serbian is yet to win a title this year and has a win record of 8-3 so far in 2024. In an interview with Sport Klub, Jankovic, a 15-time WTA titlist discussed the longevity of Djokovic and his determination to dominate the sport.
“Novak is a phenomenon, he invests a lot in nutrition, especially his team. Everything he invested in himself and his loved ones returned to him many times over,” the said the 2008 US Open runner up about the fellow Serbian and World No. 1.
“That’s why I always emphasize how important it is to respect your body. Life is short and the sports journey is only part of that journey. It is hard to imagine what the athlete’s body goes through during travel, time zone changes and numerous matches.
“But Novak has found a formula that allows all that. He is amazing in every way. There are no limits for him.
“Sometimes we talk, and I regularly congratulate him on his successes, which in my opinion are superhuman. He is a true ambassador of our country, he broke almost all records. I want him to enjoy his career with his family for the rest of his life.”
The Serbian, who called time on his career in 2022 having last played in 2017, also revealed she would not trade being #1 for over winning a major.
“Never. Being No 1 in the world is the most anyone can achieve in tennis. I dreamed of it as a child. Being the best in the world is a great feat, while the Grand Slam can be won by the 50th or 100th tennis player in the world,” Jankovic said.
“Of course, I would have liked to have won some cup of the big four. But most often I was prevented by Justine Henin, who I had on my knees several times but always got out.”