Djokovic earns McEnroe praise
Legendary tennis champion John McEnroe has praised the world number two juggernaut Novak Djokovic, saying the Serb's 37-match unbeaten run so far this season is more impressive than his own unbeaten record set in 1984.
Djokovic can beat McEnroe's record of 42 unbeaten matches if he reaches the final of the upcoming French Open. Considering his form, he looks dead-set to do just that. The 23-year-old, who will be 24 this Sunday, has won seven titles, including the Australian Open, this year.
In fact, he broke world number one Rafael Nadal's unbeaten run on clay by winning the Madrid open before defeating him again in the Rome Open on Sunday.
It earned praise from the Tennis legend McEnroe who went as far as to say Djokovic's run was better than his own.
He said, There is more competition, more athleticism, deeper fields and more depth in the sport. So his record is even more impressive than mine.
Also in 1984, the Aussie Open was played at the end of the year so I hadn't played a major when I put that run together. My first major was the French where the streak was broken.
For me personally it brings back memories of '84, he added. I'm quite excited at the timing of this because he could break my record at the French Open. I've followed his progress and to put it mildly it's been quite amazing to see how much confidence he is playing with.
It's impressive given he came in number three and to dominate (Roger) Federer and (Rafael) Nadal the way he has, to see what he has done, it's a little surprising.
However, McEnroe did have a warning for Djokovic. He claimed that Nadal would be prove much more difficult to beat in a five-set match if Djokovic was to meet him at the French Open.
Rafa is certainly tougher to beat in a best-of-five match, he said. Going back to '84, I beat Lendl twice on clay going into the French then got up two sets and lost in five. Certainly Novak has to be careful because Nadal fights right to the end.
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