Juan Martín del Potro and Gabriela Sabatini, two of Argentina’s most celebrated tennis figures, recently shared their perspectives on Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of another Grand Slam title, offering insights shaped by their own experiences at the sport’s highest level. Speaking in separate interviews with Latin American media outlets, both legends acknowledged Djokovic’s extraordinary resilience and adaptability while noting the evolving challenges posed by age, competition, and the physical demands of modern tennis.
Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion who battled numerous wrist and knee injuries throughout his career, emphasized Djokovic’s mental fortitude as the defining factor in his longevity. “What sets Novak apart isn’t just his forehand or his return — it’s how he resets after every loss, every setback,” del Potro said in a recent interview with ESPN Argentina. “He’s been down two sets to love in Grand Slam finals and came back to win. That’s not just talent; that’s a mindset forged over years of pressure.” The Argentine, who retired in 2022 after a valiant comeback attempt at the Argentine Open, pointed to Djokovic’s 2023 US Open victory as proof that the Serb remains capable of peaking at the right moment. “Winning New York at 36? That tells you he’s still evolving his game, not just relying on what worked before.”
Sabatini, the 1990 US Open singles champion and former world No. 3, echoed del Potro’s admiration but added a note of caution regarding the physical toll of sustaining elite performance into one’s mid-30s. “Novak is an exceptional physical specimen, but tennis today is faster, more explosive, and the recovery windows are shorter,” she told TyC Sports in a segment aired last week. “He’s adjusted his schedule, prioritized certain tournaments, and worked smarter — but the body has its limits. Even the greatest eventually face a generation that doesn’t just challenge them technically, but physically overwhelms them in extended rallies.” Sabatini, who retired at 26 due to burnout and injury concerns, stressed that while Djokovic’s preparation is unmatched, the emergence of players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner introduces a new dynamic. “They don’t fear him. They’ve grown up watching him dominate, and now they believe they can beat him — and that changes the psychology of the match.”
Both legends agreed that Djokovic’s path to another major title hinges on three interconnected factors: health, motivation, and the evolving landscape of men’s tennis. Del Potro noted that Djokovic’s ability to avoid prolonged absences due to injury has been critical. “He hasn’t had a major surgery. He manages his load. That’s rare at this level,” he said. Sabatini added that Djokovic’s recent focus on mindfulness and recovery protocols — including his use of biofeedback and altitude training — reflects a sophisticated approach to longevity. “He treats his body like a precision instrument,” she said. “That’s not common, even among champions.”
Their assessments approach amid a transitional period in men’s tennis, where the so-called “Big Three” era is giving way to a more competitive and unpredictable field. Djokovic, now 37, remains the only active player with 24 Grand Slam singles titles — a record he extended with his 2023 US Open win over Daniil Medvedev. Since then, he has reached the final of the 2024 Australian Open (losing to Jannik Sinner) and withdrew from the French Open due to a right knee injury sustained during his fourth-round match against Francisco Cerúndolo. He returned at Wimbledon, where he lost in the final to Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets — a result that underscored both his continued competitiveness and the rising threat from the next generation.
Del Potro, who defeated Djokovic in the 2012 London Olympics bronze medal match and faced him multiple times during his peak years, believes the Serb’s experience in high-stakes moments remains unmatched. “He’s played more deciding sets, more tiebreakers, more match points under pressure than anyone in history,” del Potro said. “When the moment is biggest, he’s often at his best. That’s not luck — it’s preparation meeting opportunity.” Sabatini, meanwhile, drew parallels to her own era, noting that Steffi Graf and Monica Seles too faced challenges from younger rivals but adapted through tactical evolution. “Novak is doing the same — he’s shortening points, coming to the net more, varying his spin. He’s not the same player he was at 25, and that’s why he’s still winning.”
Looking ahead, both Argentines expressed cautious optimism about Djokovic’s chances at the 2024 US Open, where he will seek to defend his title. The tournament, scheduled to begin on August 26 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, will mark his first major appearance since Wimbledon. Del Potro highlighted the potential advantage of playing in New York, where Djokovic has won four of his US Open titles and thrived under the night-session atmosphere. “The crowd there feeds him,” he said. “They respect his fight, even when they’re rooting for the other guy.” Sabatini noted that the hard-court surface suits Djokovic’s defensive counterpunching style, particularly when combined with his improved serve efficiency — a statistic that has risen steadily since 2020, according to ATP Tour data.
Nevertheless, they acknowledged that the path to a 25th Grand Slam will not be easy. The men’s draw at Flushing Meadows is expected to include strong challenges from Alcaraz, Sinner, and rising American Ben Shelton, all of whom possess the power and movement to test Djokovic’s endurance over five sets. The physical toll of a full hard-court swing — including the Cincinnati Masters and potential Davis Cup obligations — could impact his readiness. “It’s not just about one week in September,” del Potro said. “It’s about how he manages the two months before it.” Sabatini added that mental freshness may be as crucial as physical readiness. “After so many years at the top, the hunger has to come from somewhere new — maybe legacy, maybe proving something to himself. Whatever it is, it has to be real.”
In reflecting on Djokovic’s broader impact, both legends emphasized his role in elevating the sport’s global reach and professionalism. Del Potro pointed to the Serb’s advocacy for player welfare through the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), noting that his efforts have sparked meaningful conversations about scheduling, prize distribution, and athlete representation. “He’s not just chasing records — he’s trying to change the system,” del Potro said. Sabatini highlighted Djokovic’s philanthropy, particularly his work in Serbia and with children’s foundations, as an often-overlooked aspect of his legacy. “Championships fade. But what you do for others? That lasts.”
As the tennis world turns its attention to the upcoming US Open, the insights from del Potro and Sabatini serve as a reminder that greatness in sport is rarely defined by a single attribute. Instead, it emerges from the interplay of talent, discipline, adaptability, and an enduring love for the game — qualities they see still very much present in Djokovic’s pursuit. Whether he adds to his Grand Slam tally remains uncertain, but as del Potro put it with a smile: “Never count him out. He’s shown us too many times that when it seems over, it’s not.”
The next confirmed checkpoint in Djokovic’s schedule is his participation in the 2024 Cincinnati Masters, a Masters 1000 event scheduled to begin on August 12 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio. His performance there will offer a key indicator of his form and readiness as he prepares to defend his US Open title.
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