1997 US Open runner-up Greg Rusedski has expressed his admiration for Novak Djokovic and his outstanding 2015 performance during an interview with the Times of India.
Djokovic has so far claimed nine titles this year, including three Grand Slams and five Masters. The world No.1 is currently on a 19-match winning streak and hasn’t lost a match since the final of the Cincinnati Masters in August. Only four men have beaten Djokovic this year, which are Roger Federer (twice), Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Ivo Karlovic. Speaking about the Serbian’s dominating season, Rusedski has praised Djokovic’s approach to the game by calling him ‘awesome’.
“What I observed about Novak is that this guy doesn’t leave a single stone unturned to succeed. Be it diet, training, working on his serve and volley game with Becker, preparing himself physically and mentally for each game, he’s awesome and after all this, he still remains injury free”. The 42-year-old said.
Rusedski, who achieved a career ranking high of fourth in the world in 1997, also talked about the future prospects on the tour. He has dismissed comments suggesting that the men’s game could suffer a downturn once the likes of Federer and Nadal retires from the sport. Rusedski believes that once the ‘big four’ retire, the next group of stars will come along ‘in one or two years’.
Discussing some of the younger players currently on the tour, Rusedski has expressed his opinion about what they need to do to reach the next level of their game.
“Kyrgios is a very talented player but he has an attitude problem. He is a star in the making, but he needs someone to tell him what not to do. Nishikori is another player whom I admire. He did the right thing when he appointed Michael Chang as coach and that reflected in his results. Dimitrov is one of the nicest guys on the tour, but to be a champion one needs to have some steel. I strongly feel someone of the pedigree of Ivan Lendl is an ideal coach for him”. Rusedski told the Times of India.
Besides talking about the state of the ATP Tour. Rusedski also spoke about the one thing that he misses from the current game, the serve and volley approach. He said that few players conduct this style anymore due to advancements in the playing surfaces as well as technical advancement.
Rusedski will take part in the Champions Tennis League in India next month. Similar to the IPTL, it is a team tournament consisting of current and retired players. The Canadian-born Brit will play for the Punjab Marshalls along with Marcos Baghdatis and Elina Svitolina.
