Novak Djokovic’s legacy as one of the greatest tennis players of all time continues to grow, and few have faced him more often than Juan Martín Del Potro. The Argentine player spent much of his career competing against the 24-time major champion, often finding himself on the losing end of their matches.
When asked if he believes this dynamic could change soon, Del Potro responded with a mix of realism and respect: “No. Maybe it can happen in some matches, but not in terms of rankings or whatever. Djokovic can handle everything.” He also drew a comparison to Roger Federer, noting that Djokovic might follow a similar path to how Federer handled the latter stages of his career before retiring at the age of 41.
Del Potro and fellow Argentine Grand Slam champion Gabriela Sabatini shared their insights on Djokovic’s chances of securing a 25th Grand Slam title. Speaking together, both emphasized how difficult it is to rule out a player of Djokovic’s caliber.
When asked about Djokovic’s prospects, Sabatini said: “Well, ah, he always has the biggest chance.” Del Potro agreed without hesitation: “Yeah… he’s Djokovic.” Sabatini expanded on this, stating: “Any surface, I would say. He has shown that, you know, he’s won on every surface, so he has chances in every single tournament he plays.”
Del Potro expressed his personal hope for Djokovic’s future: “I would like to see him win the 25th Grand Slam.”
Djokovic’s Retirement Timeline
Despite his stated plans to retire, Djokovic is still likely to chase the 25th Grand Slam title for some time. Rumors about when he might step away from the sport have circulated for years, but he remains one of the top players in the game.
Djokovic has made it clear that he isn’t going anywhere just yet. Recently, he said: “I wish to retire at the 2028 Olympic Games with the Serbian flag in my hands.” This goal was partially fulfilled when he captured his first Olympic Gold Medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, an achievement many saw as completing his already remarkable career.
Del Potro and Sabatini on the Roland Garros Junior Series
Del Potro and Sabatini were also enthusiastic about their involvement with the Roland Garros Junior Series. Both serve as ambassadors for the initiative, which has been running since 2022 and aims to develop the next generation of champions.
The event, held in Sao Paulo, brings together 32 of South America’s most talented under-17 players for a chance to earn a wild card into the juniors’ draw of the main event.
Del Potro described the series as “really looking like a Grand Slam,” while Sabatini added: “It does. It’s like you’re at Roland Garros.” She also highlighted the experience of being part of the event: “And then now, we’re going to see the semi-final matches together and being in the crowd, watching them, is a great experience.”
Sabatini, who won the US Open in 1990 and reached the semi-finals of the main Roland Garros tournament five times, echoed the sentiment: “Yeah, I mean, it is a great honour. And to be able to communicate or talk to them and see them. It’s very unique. So yeah I think we’re both very proud and also for us to share this moment together.”
Additional Reading
- Jannik Sinner could achieve unprecedented tennis feat at Madrid Open
- Alexander Zverev joins the ‘smart’ movement, aiming to mirror Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
- No Carlos Alcaraz, no Novak Djokovic — Coco Gauff’s former coach reveals who could rise in Madrid
