NOVAK DJOKOVIC INSISTS it is “disrespectful” to hail him as the greatest player of all time after clinching a record-breaking 23rd men’s Grand Slam title on Sunday.
The 36-year-old Djokovic defeated Casper Ruud in straight sets in the French Open final, breaking the tie of 22 majors he shared with longtime rival Rafael Nadal.
A third Roland Garros title added to his 10 Australian Open trophies, seven Wimbledons and three at the US Open.
He is the only man to win all four Slams on at least three occasions and on Monday he will return to the world number one ranking and start a 388th week on top of the pile.
“I don’t want to say that I am the greatest, because I feel it’s disrespectful towards all the great champions in different eras of our sport that was played in completely different way than it is played today,” said Djokovic.
“So I leave those kind of discussions of who is the greatest to someone else. I have of course huge faith and confidence and belief in myself and for everything that I am and who I am and what I am capable of doing.”
However, despite becoming the oldest ever French Open champion, he warned he is far from finished.
When asked if he could win 24 or 25 majors, he replied: “Why not?”
Eleven of his Grand Slam titles have been secured since he turned 30.
Retirement is a long way off for a man who has already seen Roger Federer hang up his racquet with 20 majors to his name while 37-year-old Nadal, sitting out the rest of the season with injury, has already said 2024 will be his last as a professional.
“Of course the journey is still not over,” said Djokovic. “I feel if I’m winning Slams, why even think about ending the career that already has been going on for 20 years.
“So I still feel motivated, I still feel inspired to play the best tennis in these tournaments. Those are the ones that count I guess the most in history of our sport.”
