By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, January 8, 2019
"I see no reason why (Novak Djokovic) wouldn't be capable of being number one in the world for the next five or six years," said former No. 1 Jim Courier.
Photo credit: Tennis Australia
Tennis is a numbers game.
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will make his mark on some major digits if he says healthy, says Hall of Famer Jim Courier.
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Djokovic, who launches his quest for a record seventh Australian Open title next week, can extend his reign at the top for another five of six years says Tennis Channel analyst Courier.
Comparing Djokovic's commitment to fitness, nutrition and preparation to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, the former world No. 1 sees Djokovic as "a very good bet" for an extended reign at the top of the game.
"I think I said this to (New York Times writer) Chris Clarey this time last year actually when Roger was getting back to number one," Courier told the media in a conference call to promote Tennis Channel's Australian Open coverage, which begins Sunday night. "He said 'Is it feasible anyone else could do it at that age?' And I said I absolutely think Novak can and is a very good bet to if he stays healthy because he's taken that Tom Brady mentality of taking such good care of his body, he's worked on his flexibility as long as he's been in the game and he cares about his diet and all of that.
"So I see no reason why he wouldn't be capable of being number one in the world for the next five or six years the same way Roger was and has been if he stays healthy."
The 31-year-old Serbian boasts a 61-8 career record in Melbourne, which is his most successful major.
Empowered by a 14-match Grand Slam winning streak, the Wimbledon and US Open champion can make history in Melbourne and surpass his childhood hero, Pete Sampras, by winning his 15th Slam and taking sole possession of third place on the all-time list behind 20-time Grand Slam king Federer and 17-time major winner Nadal.
Courier asserts Djokovic will not only surpass Sampras he will reach at least 17 majors though the former U.S. Davis Cup captain also expects Nadal and Federer to add to their major title totals.
"I think 17 is gettable; I'm not sure that's a static number for Nadal," Courier said. "I think Nadal probably pushes that number higher going forward with at least one more Roland Garros if not some other tournaments off the clay. I think 17 is a very gettable number for Novak if he stays healthy."
Oddschecker lists Djokovic as a 13 to 10 favorite to claim his third consecutive Grand Slam crown down under, while Federer is second favorite at 11 to 2 followed by second-ranked Rafael Nadal (8 to 1) and ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev (9 to 1).
Two-time defending Australian Open champion Federer has not lost a match in Melbourne since bowing to Djokovic in the 2016 semifinals. Federer owns a 94-13 Australian Open record and Courier believes quicker court conditions suit the 37-year-old Swiss' all-court acumen making the world No. 3 a contender at three of the four majors.
"Doesn't seem like (Federer's) likely to play Roland Garros," Courier said. "He certainly wouldn't be a favorite there but he's right in there as a contender at the other three. The speed of the surface of those courts suit him quite well—especially Australia—as quick as that court has been playing in recent years. I think he has a good shot (of winning another Slam this season). I don't think he's the favorite, I think Novak has flipped the script in the last six months.
"Nadal's health, especially on hard court, has been poor. It's been unlucky for all of us who love watching him play. And more so for him. But he's not been able to finish so many tournaments lately on the hard court. So that's another thing that gives Roger a boost. So Roger, where he's currently ranked, doesn't have to play Nadal until the semis at he earliest. So there's certainly plenty of other challengers. We saw Roger can have a bad day and be vulnerable to conditions like he was in New York to John Millman, but by and large best-of-five sets he has to be one of the big favorites, still. He certainly is in my mind."