Former World No. 2 Alex Corretja believes 12-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic is still one of the best players in the world, alongside fellow tour veterans Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Corretja, a former two-time French Open finalist insisted that despite his recent poor form, Djokovic will head into any tournament, including the upcoming Wimbledon championships as one of the favourites because he has got the DNA of a champion.
After putting up a series of inspired performances, Djokovic was upset in the quarterfinals of the French Open by Italian qualifier Marco Cecchinato. The former World No. 1’s loss in Paris came after he endured a torrid time on the court in the run up to Roland Garros, making opening round exits in Indian Wells, Miami, Barcelona and unexpected early departures from Madrid, Monte Carlo and the Australian Open.
Due to his poor form, Djokovic has dropped to No. 21 in the world rankings, but Corretja, thinks the 30-year-old is one of the greatest players of all-time.
Asked on what he thought about the Serbian’s position in the history of tennis, Corretja told Sport Klub: “Well, it would be very high.
“I like Novak, I think his fighting spirit is amazing: he has won 12 Grand Slam titles, so many ATP Finals, he managed to play great on any surface, he is a perfect tennis player.
”Around top-five for sure, and he still has time ahead of him, so we should wait.
“He can be aggressive, he can defend, he’s got DNA of a champion. When I picture what it would be like playing against Novak, I think, ‘Oh, it would have been so hard to beat him.’
“He plays well on every surface, a complete tennis player.”
