Reputed coach and former player Heniz Gunthardt thinks Novak Djokovic still has three or four majors in him.
The Swiss who has worked with WTA icon Steffi Graf as coach has claimed that Novak Djokovic could be playing for three or four more years to lead the nextgen and feels this is a “very long time” to collect more big titles.
After turning 36 in May, Djokovic still looks at the top of his game and continues to remain as the man to beat at an age where many players would have already backed off. Earlier in September, the legendary Serb won his fourth US Open title and as a result took his Grand Slam count to 24 by dismantling Daniil Medvedev in straight sets.
He has now won three of the four majors this year with his only Grand Slam loss coming against Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set classic Wimbledon final. Djokovic has now 12 GS titles since turning 30 and holds awe-inspiring 12-3 major final record in his 30s.
2023 marks the fourth season in which Novak has sealed three of the four major titles – a men’s record. His previous 3-slam success came in 2021, 2015 and 2011.
Talking with Tennis Magazin, Gunthardt suggested that the World No. 1 looks far from slowing down and predicted that he seems composed enough to take his Slam count into the high 20s.
“Three or four years is still a very long time. I still think he can win three or four Grand Slams,” suggested the 64-year-old.
The former World #22, who has led Swiss team in Billie Jean King Cup since 2012, also share his views on the emergence of World No. 2 and 2-time Major champion Alcaraz.
“A few years ago everyone said: ‘It’s impossible to be at the top of the men’s ranks as a teenager. Tennis has become too athletic!’ And now? It wasn’t impossible, we just didn’t have the right teenager,” said Gunthardt.
“Now there are Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Luca van Assche! That’s the great thing about tennis: it can’t be captured. Everyone thinks they know how things work – but no one does! Exceptional players don’t exist all the time, otherwise they wouldn’t be exceptional.
“So sometimes you have a hole. But that doesn’t mean that something is impossible. Even after my long time in tennis, I can say that I don’t understand this sport (laughs).
“But he (Alcaraz) can’t do everything either. His net game can be improved. He’s so strong from the back that he doesn’t need classic attacking balls. But Rafael Nadal also won his first French Open from the baseline with a lot of racing. There are many opportunities.
“You don’t have to be able to do everything to be a good tennis player. In English it is called: ‘The Art of Reduction.’ If you can play simply, it’s easier to repeat. You have to know what you can do – and what you can’t do. If you can use what you can as often as possible, you’re playing well.”
Gunthardt has served as a coach of WTA legend and 22-time GS champion Graf from 1992 until her retirement in 1999. He has also worked with former Serbian WTA #1 and Roland Garros champion Ana Ivanovic. During his decent career (1976-1990), the Swiss veteran won five ATP singles titles and two Major doubles.