‘Novak Djokovic still has five years left at the top,’ : Daniela Hantuchova

[TennisFan3]

https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-novak-djokovic-least-4-5-years-tennis-daniela-hantuchova

Daniela Hantuchova believes Novak Djokovic will be at the top for ‘at least four or five’ more years after hailing the Serb’s quality.

Novak Djokovic is 33, but Daniela Hantuchova believes he will continue to dominate tennis for the foreseeable future.

Hantuchova, who has always been close to the Djokovic camp, believes there is still a lot more to come from the Serbian.

“Given Novak’s willpower and fitness, he can be around for a very long time,’ Hantuchova said on her podcast.
“I feel he has so much left in his game. He is so strong physically and mentally I would say at least four or five years.
“The way the physios do their work and the rehab, the recovery techniques are completely different to what they were 15 years ago so he recovers better.

 

[Adv. Edberg]

I agree, and he'll likely win on average 2 slams/year during those 5 years. So should easily get 25+ slams.

 

[TennisFan3]

I agree, and he'll likely win on average 2 slams/year during those 5 years. So should easily get 25+ slams.

Who knows what the future will bring. But pretty much all tennis experts think that Novak will last a long time.

We talk so much about Fed's longevity. But maybe Novak (and even Nadal) MIGHT win MORE slams in their 30s than Federer did.

 

[NatF]

 

[TheNachoMan]

Who knows what the future will bring. But pretty much all tennis experts think that Novak will last a long time.

We talk so much about Fed's longevity. But maybe Novak (and even Nadal) MIGHT win MORE slams in their 30s than Federer did.

Djokovic has already won more slams in his 30s than Fed did. Fed won Wimbledon 2012, AO 17, Wimbledon 2017 and AO 18 in his 30s.
Djokovic has Wimbledon 2018, USO 18, AO 19, Wimbledon 2019 and AO 2020

 

[clayqueen]

Danielle also said Djokovic would win the French Open this year and the USO. These predictions that Djoker will dominate for the next umpteen years assume that only Federer and Nadal can compete with him. That is far from the truth in the next 5 years.

She says she is best friends with Marian Vajda so no surprises there and she is a fan of Djokovic.

 

[Yugram]

Who knows what the future will bring. But pretty much all tennis experts think that Novak will last a long time.

We talk so much about Fed's longevity. But maybe Novak (and even Nadal) MIGHT win MORE slams in their 30s than Federer did.

What means even Nadal? Nadal has the most Slams won in his 30’s right now. It’s Federer who must catch up.

 

[clayqueen]

Are all Eastern Europeans arrogant?

 

[E36BMWM3]

I want whatever Daniela's smoking

 

[BackhandDTL]

Ahahaha

Sinner Tsitsipas Zverev and Shapo are going to be scrubs for that long? I know Z has been disappointing since 2018 but he’s gonna figure it out. All these guys have HC as their best surface. Djokovic isn’t beating guys like Thiem on HC or clay either in a few years.

Med, Z and FAA once they figure it out are going to be tough outs on grass

 

[Slowtwitcher]

Hantuchova wants back into the inner circle.

 

[clayqueen]

There are lots of Sonegos waiting to send Djoker packing when they get the chance.

 

[aditya123]

Ahahaha

Sinner Tsitsipas Zverev and Shapo are going to be scrubs for that long? I know Z has been disappointing since 2018 but he’s gonna figure it out. All these guys have HC as their best surface. Djokovic isn’t beating guys like Thiem on HC or clay either in a few years.

Shapo will not make it into the top I feel.

 

[tennis_pro]

With all the under 30 year olds being complete losers that isn't a feat for any ATG. Why do you think Fed is attempting another comeback at 40? Cause he knows he can beat 99% of these losers in his sleep.

Go play LOL or WOW and then post on instagram how you prefer yourself naked.

 

[terribleIVAN]

Based on Novak's 2020 form, i give him 18 more months at the very top, no more.

And he better win this upcoming WEC.

 

[TennisFan3]

What means even Nadal? Nadal has the most Slams won in his 30’s right now. It’s Federer who must catch up.

True. I just mean we make such a big deal of Fed's longevity. And it's true.
But Nadal and Djokovic are also winning more in their 30s.

I mean Djokovic might have 7-8 slams left in the next 4-5 years based on most experts prediction. Federer did NOT win anywhere close to that after being 33.

 

[TennisFan3]

There are lots of Sonegos waiting to send Djoker packing when they get the chance.

Novak did NOT give anything in that match. It was as pure as a tank as you would ever see. He has ZERO motivation and he said in his press conference too.

 

[clayqueen]

Novak did NOT give anything in that match. It was as pure as a tank as you would ever see. He has ZERO motivation and he said in his press conference too.

When you've been trashed by a lucky loser, of course you will save face by saying you didn't want to win anyway. You might be gullible enough to believe it but I wasn't born yesterday. I'm not that easily fooled.

 

[TennisFan3]

When you've been trashed by a lucky loser, of course you will save face by saying you didn't want to win anyway. You might be gullible enough to believe it but I wasn't born yesterday. I'm not that easily fooled.

That's fine. But do you see this as a decline?
People lose matches. Federer has lost surprisingly and so has Nadal to lower ranked players.
Novak will probably still be favorite at AO 2021.

 

[Adv. Edberg]

There are lots of Sonegos waiting to send Djoker packing when they get the chance.

There were once a lot of Nishikoris who were gonna send Fedalovic packing. Then there were a lot of Kyrgioses and so on and on.

 

[clayqueen]

Novak did NOT give anything in that match. It was as pure as a tank as you would ever see. He has ZERO motivation and he said in his press conference too.

Djoker won't be able to say he tanked again just like he couldn't call for the doctor to turn his neck round 360 deg after PCB called him out for faking injury. Had he not been shamed about calling for the trainer every time he was in a tight spot, he would have done so during the RG final and during his match against Sonego.

 

[Remioli]

Mobility is more important to Novak's game than Fed. If he starts to lose some movement, he's gonna go downhill. Unless he can change his game up like Nadal and Federer did.

 

[clayqueen]

That's fine. But do you see this as a decline?
People lose matches. Federer has lost surprisingly and so has Nadal to lower ranked players.
Novak will probably still be favorite at AO 2021.

I see it as a loss; pure and simple. Federer and Nadal own up to losing but Djoker has to fake lack of interest.

 

[TennisFan3]

I see it as a loss; pure and simple. Federer and Nadal own up to losing but Djoker has to fake lack of interest.

True. He doesn't have the slickest press performances.
But even Federer in the past has said, he didn't win because he was not at his game and made other excuses.
I think Nadal is usually the only one who doesn't seem to surprised with losses and generally makes fewer excuses.

Anyway Novak is just who he is. He is not the best talker on and off court, but thinks he can let his racquet do the talking and break all records.

 

[clayqueen]

There were once a lot of Nishikoris who were gonna send Fedalovic packing. Then there were a lot of Kyrgioses and so on and on.

Well, both times Djokovic has faced Kyrgios he's lost in straight sets. He is lucky to have avoided him for the last 3 years.

 

[Jonesy]

No doubt about it. If ancient Fed with 3000 miles on his body can last until 40 so can Novak.

 

[TennisFan3]

Mobility is more important to Novak's game than Fed. If he starts to lose some movement, he's gonna go downhill. Unless he can change his game up like Nadal and Federer did.

Really? He's changed his game AS MUCH (if not more) than Federer and Nadal.
Did you see how BIG his forehand now is. Plus a much much bigger serve especially the 2nd serve.
Then better net play etc.

In fact he lost to Nadal at the French Open, because he didn't defend like he used to before. His game has CHANGED a lot.

 

[clayqueen]

True. He doesn't have the slickest press performances.
But even Federer in the past has said, he didn't win because he was not at his game and made other excuses.
I think Nadal is usually the only one who doesn't seem to surprised with losses and generally makes fewer excuses.

Anyway Novak is just who he is. He is not the best talker on and off court, but thinks he can let his racquet do the talking and break all records.

OK say you didn't play your best or you played a bad match as Rafa as often admitted and viewers will usually agree. Those are plausible reasons but don't expect intelligent people to be stupid enough to believe that you waited for 2 days to tank a match because you didn't need any more points when you could easily have given your opponent a WO.

 

[TennisFan3]

To me the MOST surprising thing is that even though Fed and Nadal have a 3 slam lead over Novak, almost EVERY EXPERT still thinks that Novak will end his career with more slams.
JMac, Henman, Courier, PMac, Wilander, Becker, Edberg, Annacone, Gilbert, Davenport, Navratilova, Evert, Cahill etc etc etc

Obviously these tennis experts and former pro players know more than us.

 

[clayqueen]

True. He doesn't have the slickest press performances.
But even Federer in the past has said, he didn't win because he was not at his game and made other excuses.
I think Nadal is usually the only one who doesn't seem to surprised with losses and generally makes fewer excuses.

Anyway Novak is just who he is. He is not the best talker on and off court, but thinks he can let his racquet do the talking and break all records.

It was Rafa who let his racquet do the talking at RG after everyone wrote him off and Goran saying he had no chance.

 

[clayqueen]

To me the MOST surprising thing is that even though Fed and Nadal have a 3 slam lead over Novak, almost EVERY EXPERT still thinks that Novak will end his career with more slams.
JMac, Henman, Courier, PMac, Wilander, Becker, Edberg, Annacone, Gilbert, Davenport, Navratilova, Evert, Cahill etc etc etc

Obviously these tennis experts and former pro players know more than us.

You mean all the 'experts' who picked Djoker to win RG 2020?

 

[TennisFan3]

OK say you didn't play your best or you played a bad match as Rafa as often admitted and viewers will usually agree. Those are plausible reasons but don't expect intelligent people to be stupid enough to believe that you waited for 2 days to tank a match because you didn't need any more points when you could easily have given your opponent a WO.

Don't compare Novak with Nadal. They are very different people.
Novak has this mindset of thinking himself as the best. I think his Ego is what drives him to succeed. And he will not allow himself to be thought of as second best.
Do you recall he used to say that he was better than Nadal in many matches where he lost handily. It's just who Djokovic is. This sort of mentality helps him perform I guess.

 

[Genious at Work]

Hantuchova, who has always been close to the Djokovic camp, believes there is still a lot more to come from the Serbian.

“Given Novak’s willpower and fitness, he can be around for a very long time,’ Hantuchova said on her podcast.
“I feel he has so much left in his game. He is so strong physically and mentally I would say at least four or five years.
“The way the physios do their work and the rehab, the recovery techniques are completely different to what they were 15 years ago so he recovers better.

Wait, is this the same Hantuchova that was worried about Djokovic's anger issues a few weeks ago?

https://au.sports.yahoo.com/us-open-tennis-novak-djokovic-default-daniela-hantuchova-anger-assessment-005552344.html

 

[PeoplesChamp]

Djokovic has already won more slams in his 30s than Fed did. Fed won Wimbledon 2012, AO 17, Wimbledon 2017 and AO 18 in his 30s.
Djokovic has Wimbledon 2018, USO 18, AO 19, Wimbledon 2019 and AO 2020

Let's not forget the details. Fed would have 4 more atleast if not for 6 years younger Djokovic. Of course the numbers always fall in Djokovic's favor with these things but there's a reason for that. No sense in acting like it's not.

 

[NoleFam]

I see it as a loss; pure and simple. Federer and Nadal own up to losing but Djoker has to fake lack of interest.

Djokovic is by far the best loser of the 3 and always has been. He admitted he got steamrolled by a better player just like he did at RG. Still, the press are going to ask him what was wrong when he gets 1 and 2 on the court so he gave an honest answer.

 

[Genious at Work]

Don't compare Novak with Nadal. They are very different people.
Novak has this mindset of thinking himself as the best. I think his Ego is what drives him to succeed. And he will not allow himself to be thought of as second best.
Do you recall he used to say that he was better than Nadal in many matches where he lost handily. It's just who Djokovic is. This sort of mentality helps him perform I guess.

 

[PeoplesChamp]

As far as OP, I seriously doubt it. 2 or 3 years I can see. He may "play" 5 more years.

 

[clayqueen]

Don't compare Novak with Nadal. They are very different people.
Novak has this mindset of thinking himself as the best. I think his Ego is what drives him to succeed. And he will not allow himself to be thought of as second best.
Do you recall he used to say that he was better than Nadal in many matches where he lost handily. It's just who Djokovic is. This sort of mentality helps him perform I guess.

Djokovic spent years as #3 and has been able to capitalise on an aging Federer and a Nadal who has spent more time injured since 2012 than he has played. Give Rafa an injury free couple of years then see what he can do. Being injured, then recovering, then picking up your game again, getting your rhythm back is trying for anyone but since 2012 it was normal for Rafa not to complete the season.

 

[TennisFan3]

As far as OP, I seriously doubt it. 2 or 3 years I can see. He may "play" 5 more years.

I always wonder why most experts say 4-5 years.
I agree more than 2-3 years might not be possible.
However these guys obviously know things that we do not.

 

[clayqueen]

Djokovic is by far the best loser of the 3 and always has been. He admitted he got steamrolled by a better player just like he did at RG. Still, the press are going to ask him what was wrong when he gets 1 and 2 on the court so he gave an honest answer.

Sure. How many racquets has he smashed or how many times has wrecked the furniture, or hit the ball in anger when he is losing? Rafa doesn't like losing and it shows because he doesn't pretend he's happy about it but he doesn't rub his victory in his opponent's face either unlike Djokovic practising a dance routine to perform with the ball kids even before his defeated opponent leaves the court, ripping his shirt or bumping a car with his team under his defeated opponent's hotel room.

Djokovic seems to be trying to contain his anger when he's losing. He just needs to understand that he doesn't have a God given right to win everything.

 

[clayqueen]

To me the MOST surprising thing is that even though Fed and Nadal have a 3 slam lead over Novak, almost EVERY EXPERT still thinks that Novak will end his career with more slams.
JMac, Henman, Courier, PMac, Wilander, Becker, Edberg, Annacone, Gilbert, Davenport, Navratilova, Evert, Cahill etc etc etc

Obviously these tennis experts and former pro players know more than us.

The experts said Djokovic would be the first to tie Roger's 20 slams.

 

[NoleFam]

Sure. How many racquets has he smashed or how many times has wrecked the furniture, or hit the ball in anger when he is losing? Rafa doesn't like losing and it shows because he doesn't pretend he's happy about it but he doesn't rub his victory in his opponent's face either unlike Djokovic practising a dance routine to perform with the ball kids even before his defeated opponent leaves the court, ripping his shirt or bumping a car with his team under his defeated opponent's hotel room.

Djokovic seems to be trying to contain his anger when he's losing. He just needs to understand that he doesn't have a God given right to win everything.

I said best loser not best winner so what does his celebrations when he wins have to do with it? He is the best loser becuse he always gives a warm handshake after losing, always gives credit in the press conference and tries to keep the attention on the opponent's good play instead of dwelling too much on his own failures on the court. Him breaking rackets has nothing to do with with it and has to do with being upset with himself more than anything.

 

[Adv. Edberg]

Well, both times Djokovic has faced Kyrgios he's lost in straight sets. He is lucky to have avoided him for the last 3 years.

True. But Djoko wins the slams and Kyrgios doesn't.

 

[stingstang]

Sinner Tsitsipas Zverev and Shapo are going to be scrubs for that long?

Yes. Although Zverev might be doing a stint inside.

 

[clayqueen]

I said best loser not best winner so what does his celebrations when he wins have to do with it? He is the best loser becuse he always gives a warm handshake after losing, always gives credit in the press conference and tries to keep the attention on the opponent's good play instead of dwelling too much on his own failures on the court. Him breaking rackets has nothing to do with with it and has to do with being upset with himself more than anything.

If you are smashing your racquet and the furniture when things are not going your way during the match how can be you gracious in defeat?

 

[clayqueen]

True. But Djoko wins the slams and Kyrgios doesn't.

Kyrgios could stop him getting to the final if they meet in the earlier rounds.

 

[NoleFam]

If you are smashing your racquet and the furniture when things are not going your way during the match how can be you gracious in defeat?

He has smashed his racket plenty of times when he's winning as well, and when losing and then at times turned the match around to win anyway. That's not defeat dear.

 

[octogon]

Who knows what the future will bring. But pretty much all tennis experts think that Novak will last a long time.

We talk so much about Fed's longevity. But maybe Novak (and even Nadal) MIGHT win MORE slams in their 30s than Federer did.

Pretty much every tennis "expert" thought Nadal would be retired by 29.

Pretty much most tennis "experts" thought Novak was the favorite at this year's French Open.

The experts are wrong a lot.

"Experts" don't know as much as you think they do. In all honesty, many posters on this board could formulate opinions that actually have more validity than the ones given by paid pundits or former pros.

Djokovic could last at the top level for another 5 years. Or he could go into termimal decline next year and struggle to win 1 or 2 more slams. The truth is, like a lot of "experts", Hauntuchova doesn't really know which will happen. She is just speculating, in effect like fans on this board.

 

[Adv. Edberg]

Pretty much every tennis "expert" thought Nadal would be retired by 29.

Pretty much most tennis "experts" thought Novak was the favorite at this year's French Open.

The experts are wrong a lot.

"Experts" don't know as much as you think they do. In all honesty, many posters on this board could formulate opinions that actually have more validity than the ones given by paid pundits or former pros.

Djokovic could last at the top level for another 5 years. Or he could go into termimal decline next year and struggle to win 1 or 2 more slams. The truth is, like a lot of "experts", Hauntuchova doesn't really know which will happen. She is just speculating, in effect like fans on this board.

True. But they are also getting paid to talk up tennis as well. Like how they keep saying that this is the golden era of tennis and how they for the last 10 years said how the Lost Gen and Next Gen will take over. They can't be honest and say what a rubbish state tennis actually is I with only 3 players competing for the titles despite them being 10 years past their prime. People would turn off the channel and they would lose their jobs as experts.

 

[GabeT]

Let’s define “at the top”. Number 1? No, he won’t be number 1 for the next 5 years. Top 5 and a contender at all slams and favorite or second favorite at one of the slams? Sure, that’s possible and based on how he is playing I’d say likely as well.