By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Photo Editing: Oakberry
Atlas carries the world on his shoulders at Rockefeller Center in New York City.
Novak Djokovic will cement his status as Tennis Hercules if he lifts the US Open trophy – and a record 25th Grand Slam crown – next month, says Hall of Famer Chrissie Evert.
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Former world #1 champions Evert and John McEnroe held a Zoom call with the media yesterday promoting ESPN’s ball-to-ball coverage of the US Open for the tenth consecutive year.
Main draw action begins on ESPN at noon on Monday, August 26.
A key question in New York: Will Djokovic be empowered by winning Olympic gold for Serbia to fulfill his nation’s dream?
Or the 37-year-old Serbian superstar, exhausted from knee surgery in June, his remarkable effort to reach the Wimbledon final, followed by a highly emotional Olympic triumph and a celebratory party in Belgrade?
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Evert, who calls the world No. 2 the most driven person she’s ever met, says don’t doubt Djokovic in New York as he chases a historic 100th career championship and second straight US Open crown .
“That would be epic if he could do it. But he’s a driven person,” Evert said of Djokovic. “He’s a very driven person beyond anyone I’ve ever seen.
“He’s had a lot of ups and downs in his life, in his marriage, in his personal relationships, I think, because of his drive. He’s also accomplished everything. He’s a communicator and he fixes things.”
Eighteen-time Grand Slam champion Evert said emotionally and mentally Djokovic “seems to be in the best place he’s been in a long time now.”
“I think it would be Herculean if he wins this tournament and gets to 25,” Evert said. “I mean, I think he would have to be the best player ever, the best male player ever. I think he’s already in a lot of people’s minds.
“I just think he’s won the Olympics, after what he went through with the surgery, with Alcaraz seemingly starting to take over, starting to get his number like he did at Wimbledon, for him to come back and find that consistency. and find that level of tennis, which we haven’t actually seen all year because he hasn’t won a tournament all year, it was like a fairytale.”
He was number 1 in the world Andre Agassi calls Djokovic “the best comeback I’ve ever seen.”
He was number 1 in the world John McEnroe calls Djokovic “the best mover on a hard court I’ve ever seen in my life.”
Former world No. 1 Evert cites a key quality to Djokovic’s continued success: Karma.
Seeing Djokovic persevere through so much crap in his career – being lambasted by critics, called “too soft” early in his career by some detractors, and sometimes doubted and denigrated by his rivals’ ardent fans his Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer – says Serbian Evert. has Karma on his side and deserves everything he has achieved because he has worked hard for it all.
“It was a fairytale,” Evert said of Djokovic’s Olympic victory. “But you know what? I believe in karma.
“This guy has struggled his whole life, he’s put up with a lot of press and being considered the bad guy with Federer and Nadal. He deserves this. He deserves everything.”
Can Djokovic Create Instant Karma In New York Next Week?
This will be one of the best stories to watch at this US Open.
