The query was swift and direct. Novak Djokovic's reply was slow, thoughtful and revelatory, delivered in paragraphs. (More Tennis News)
바카라How does it feel,바카라 a reporter wanted to know, 바카라to be the greatest male player in history?바카라
First, a quick bit of background: Djokovic's championship at the 2023 French Open, earned via a 7-6 (1), 6-3, 7-5 victory over Casper Ruud on Sunday that included a so-so start and then a cascade of brilliance, provided his 23rd Grand Slam title.
No man has won as many. After spending his entire career trying to accumulate as much hardware as rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Djokovic now stands alone atop the list. He had been tied at 22 with Nadal; Federer, who announced his retirement last year, has 20.
So, now, back to that question. For years, as that so-called Big Three dominated men's tennis, the debate has swirled over which should be considered the 바카라GOAT바카라 바카라 바카라Greatest of All-Time.바카라
Federer has his backers. So does Nadal. Djokovic, too.
There are those who want to make it purely about numbers, and Djokovic earns that crown: In addition to the majors count, he has spent a record number of weeks at No. 1 in the rankings and has won each of the Masters 1000 events twice, while the other guys haven't won each once.
There are those who want to make it about style. There are those who want to look at other intangibles.
Then there are those who believe all three men deserve to be lauded and appreciated equally. No need to take a side.
And so, let's hear Djokovic's reply.
바카라I mean, I don't want to say that I am the greatest, because I feel 바카라 I've said it before 바카라 it's disrespectful towards all the great champions in different eras of our sport that was played in a completely different way than it is played today,바카라 Djokovic said Sunday night, wearing a red jacket with '23'Â stitched on the front. 바카라I feel like each great champion of his own generation has left a huge mark, a legacy, and paved the way for us to be able to play this sport in such a great stage worldwide.바카라
He was just getting started.
바카라So,바카라 the 36-year-old from Serbia continued, 바카라I leave those kind of discussions of who is the greatest to someone else. I have, of course, huge faith and confidence and belief (in) myself and for everything that I am and who I am and what I am capable of doing. So this trophy obviously is another confirmation of the quality of tennis that I'm still able to produce, I feel.바카라
He went on to say what he's said before about the significance of the four major tournaments 바카라 the Australian Open (which he's won 10 times), French Open (three), Wimbledon (seven) and the U.S. Open (three) 바카라 and called them 바카라THE biggest priorities on the checklist for not just this season, but any season, especially at this stage of my career.바카라
There was more.
About how he didn't fare particularly well during the clay-court portion of the season leading up to Roland Garros. About how he is a different player when the best-of-five-set format arrives at majors (바카라He has this software in his head that he can switch (on) when a Grand Slam comes,바카라 was the explanation offered by his coach, Goran Ivanisevic). About the inner and outer pressure and expectations, he feels leading into the tournament. About the satisfaction and relief and pride and fulfillment he feels when it's over and he's won it.
And then Djokovic veered again.
Although he was not asked about what the future might hold, he did spin things forward a bit, certainly implying he is intent on continuing to add to his trophy total.
바카라Of course, the journey is still not over. I feel if I'm winning Slams, why even think about ending the career that already has been going on for 20 years?바카라 Djokovic said. 바카라So I still feel motivated. I still feel inspired to play the best tennis (at) these tournaments, the ... Grand Slams. Those are the ones that count, I guess, the most in history of our sport.바카라
In the end 바카라 450 words into a response to a question of 12 바카라 he gave some insight into his mindset. Remember: He is halfway to a calendar-year Grand Slam, something last done by a man in 1969, and play begins at the All England Club on July 3.
Djokovic wrapped up by adding six more words to form a sentence that should make every other player wary: 바카라I look forward, already, to Wimbledon.바카라
