Ken Rosewall has watched a lot of tennis this summer and is certain Novak Djokovic will post a historic win in Sunday’s Australian Open final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The Australian legend said Djokovic, who has been battling pain in his left hamstring, would need to tear his other hamstring to fall short of claiming a 10th Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic, with strapping on his left leg, on the way to beating Tommy Paul in their semi-final.Credit:Getty Images
A 28th-straight win at Melbourne Park would see the Serbian join Rafael Nadal at the top of the all-time major list with 22 grand slam titles.
Asked at a lunch attended by Davis Cup greats at Kooyong on Saturday whether the Serbian superstar could be beaten, Rosewall said; “Well, [no], unless he pulls a hamstring in the other leg. He might lose then.”
“At the moment he seems like he’s moving well. He’s certainly playing well,” he said.
The hamstring injury and the distraction caused by his father Srdjan Djokovic controversially posing with Russian fans on Wednesday night has not impacted the 35-year-old’s form on the court.
It is unclear whether Srdjan Djokovic is permitted to attend Sunday night’s final. Tennis Australia has been contacted to clarify the situation.
Novak Djokovic will be a dominant favourite in Sunday’s final.Credit:Eddie Jim
But Djokovic said on Friday night he was looking forward to his father sitting in his supporters’ box for what is a vital match in his career.
Djokovic is unbeaten on Australian soil this year and has dropped only one set for the tournament, that was against French qualifier Enzo Couacaud in the second round.
So dominant has he been in the second week of the Australian Open, 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash said it was possible Djokovic is playing better than ever.
Cash said the level Djokovic played at in the first hour of his 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Roger Federer in an Australian Open semi-final in 2016 was the best tennis he had seen.
Victory would give Novak Djokovic a 10th Australian Open crown and 22nd grand slam title.Credit:Eddie Jim
But the routs of Alex de Minaur and Andrey Rublev were just as impressive, Cash said before Djokovic defeated Tommy Paul on Friday night in straight sets.
As a measure to combat the hamstring issue, Djokovic is hitting his forehand harder than ever before, according to Australian Open statistics.
“It is a joke how good he has been. Novak has just been mighty impressive,” Cash said.
“The best tennis I have ever seen in my life was the first two sets he played against Federer in the semi of 2016. It was just absolutely phenomenal. And then he chopped up Andy Murray in straight sets. But he has played like that this tournament.
“It is hard to say, but he might even be getting better. The young guys are coming at him, but they are not quite there yet, and he looks head and shoulders above the others.”
The winner of the clash between Tsitsipas, who is seeking to become the first Greek player to win a major, and Djokovic will seize the world’s top ranking.
In commentary on Friday night, dual-Australian Open champion Jim Courier said Djokovic has presented a compelling case over the past year to state he is the true No. 1.
Despite missing the Australian and US Opens, as well as major North American events in Indian Wells, Miami and Cincinnati last year due to his vaccination status, he is still within reach of the top ranking.
“He has really been the best player in the world for several months,” he said on Channel Nine. “It has been a wild year for him. A wild 12-month ride.”
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