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Novak Djokovic Hit With Brutal Honesty From Tennis Legend Chris Evert
© Mike Frey-Imagn Images

In a candid interview for Forbes  from her home in Boca Raton, Florida, WTA legend Chris Evert offered a debatable assessment of Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam prospects, suggesting that while the Serbian great remains a formidable presence on tour, his days of winning grand slam titles might just be over.

“I would never underestimate him, but I would be surprised if he won another major, let’s put it that way,” said the 18-time grand slam champion. “I would never say he’s not going to win, I would be surprised, I would be pleasantly surprised, just with his results in the past and he’s human and I’m not feeling it."

Her remarks come amid a turbulent period for Djokovic, who has experienced an unusually inconsistent season in 2024 and into 2025, including early exits at multiple Masters events. 

Now 37, Djokovic remains the all-time leader in Grand Slam titles with 24, but questions are mounting over whether he can add to that tally while Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and others continues to rise.

Evert emphasized that her comments weren’t meant to discount Djokovic’s legacy or capabilities entirely.

“I mean, you’ve got to give the guy credit- this guy’s won everything, more than anybody,” she said. “I’ve seen him play brilliantly on grass, and he’s won Wimbledon so many times, that’s why I can’t say 'no, he’s not going to win another one,' I don’t think it’s going to be the French Open, but you can never count him out.”

Evert’s comments reflect a growing realism in the tennis community. While Djokovic remains an elite competitor, the physical and mental demands of Grand Slam tennis may now pose greater challenges on his aging body. 

Djokovic’s motivation is also something that has raised questions, after having shattered almost every record in the books. With Andy Murray now in his corner, Djokovic needs to draw from both of their experiences to create something impactful.

Djokovic has opted to play in Geneva after a 3-match losing streak on clay. It remains to be seen if he makes it to the French Open with enough gas in his tanks. 

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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