Court Philippe-Chatrier was treated to a spectacular match between Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev on Wednesday, with Djokovic producing great tennis to secure his place in the semi-finals of the French Open. However, TNT Sports expert John McEnroe believes the 38-year-old will need to raise his further to claim a record-extending Grand Slam title, and feels he is an “underdog” to do so.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates victory over Alexander Zverev of Germany in the quarter final match during day eleven of The French Open.
According to John McEnroe, it would “make sense” for Novak Djokovic to win his record-extending 25th Grand Slam title at this year’s French Open, but the Serbian remains an “underdog” in Paris.
Djokovic overcame Alexander Zverev in four sets on Wednesday to set up a mouth-watering semi-final with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. The winner will meet either Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz or world No. 7 Lorenzo Musetti in the final.
At 38, Djokovic has had to fend off questions about retirement this week at Roland-Garros and has once again defied his age to reach the later stages of another Grand Slam.
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But tougher challenges await Djokovic, insists McEnroe, beginning on Friday when he takes on the formidable Italian Sinner.
“I’ve been lucky to have this job for 30 years and 20 of it watching this legend do his thing time and time again,” said McEnroe.
“It doesn’t surprise me in a way – it amazes me – but it doesn’t surprise me that he’s still able to play at this level, that he wants it still this badly. It’s rather remarkable.
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McEnroe said it “would make sense” for Djokovic to deliver his 25th Grand Slam in 2025, but added: “As time goes on, even he, you would think it would get tougher for, but this is going to get a whole lot tougher
“I’ve got news for you. Sinner’s come to play, he’s playing incredible tennis. Alcaraz was electric as well and I expect him to beat Musetti so he’s going to have to rise to the occasion even more and play even better to win this tournament.”
Djokovic has met Sinner eight times so far, winning four, but notably has lost the three encounters.
When asked how Djokovic could upset the odds by toppling the Australian Open champion, McEnroe pointed out that Sinner hasn’t yet faced the challenge of going beyond three sets at the French Open.
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He said: “The path tactically is to do what most guys need to do is just serve big. He’s going to have to use the crowd, which I think will be behind him. He’ll be the underdog coming into the match, and he’s going to have to – believe it or not at 38 – test Sinner, who hasn’t played that much tennis, hasn’t lost a set.
“The longer it goes, there could be a question of where his fitness is at and if the nerves get to him. So that’s what he’s going to try to do.”
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