Former Novak Djokovic coach Nikola Pilic has lashed out on the Western media for “belittling” Djokovic’s achievements and not accepting his as the tennis GOAT.
Pilic also recognized that Nadal’s 14 Roland Garros titles and Djokovic’s 400 weeks (and counting) spent as world No. 1 seem unsurmountable.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is currently involved in national duty for Serbia at the last 8 stage of 2023 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain. Djokovic on Thursday, downed Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-4 to steer Serbia to the semifinal where Jannik Sinner’s Italy is waiting for them.
Looking indomitable, the World No. 1 is vowing to win second Davis Cup title for Serbia who – led by Djokovic – last won the ITF team event in 2010. The 36-year-old clinched his 7th title of the season following his straight-set final victory against the home hero Jannik Sinner at the ATP Finals in Turin. This was Serbian’s record-breaking 7th season-ending Finals crown, having tied with his great rival Federer at 6-titles previously.
Talking to Kurir, Pilic, who worked with a young Djokovic at his tennis academy in Munich, praised his former charge’s ability to shine at the biggest stages.
“I have been repeating since last year that ‘Nole’ is the GOAT and I will repeat and say that until everyone starts saying it,” said the six-time tour titlist.
“Of the 20 or 21 tournaments Djokovic plays in a year, five or six tournaments he plays in sixth gear, and when he plays like that, it doesn’t even matter who is on the other side. Djokovic showed that he is still above Alcaraz and Sinner and that is primarily due to his mental strength and self-confidence.
“I keep saying that there are two records that, in my understanding of tennis, are unattainable. They are Nadal’s 14 titles at Roland Garros and Novak’s 400 weeks in first place, which will be 410 until the Australian Open. I’ve been watching tennis for 65 years and that’s the record for all time,” asserted the 84-year-old.
The 1973 French Open runner-up also slammed the western press which he feels disrespects the legendary Serb by downplaying his success and not acknowledging him as the unanimous GOAT of tennis.
“The Western press belittles Novak’s every success and they don’t want to accept that he is the GOAT, and that is already a finished story,” argued Croatian.
“Today I received a German magazine and on the cover is [Roger] Federer in a tuxedo. What will Federer do on the front page the day after the tournament in Turin?
“With due respect for everything he has done, he has already been in a well-deserved retirement for a year. That’s their belittling, but in vain: Novak won and told them ‘arrivederci guys.’”