LONDON — Tennis legend John McEnroe has dismissed Novak Djokovic’s recent retirement vow after his second-round victory at Wimbledon, suggesting the 24-time Grand Slam champion still has plenty left in the tank despite his recent struggles.
Djokovic, who underwent knee surgery just weeks before the tournament, made headlines after his straight-sets win over Jacob Fearnally when he admitted, "I don’t know how many Wimbledons I have left. I’m trying to enjoy every moment." The comment sparked speculation about a potential retirement timeline for the 37-year-old.
McEnroe’s Take: "He’s Still the Favorite"
Speaking on ESPN’s Wimbledon coverage, McEnroe pushed back against premature retirement talk. "Let’s not write Novak off yet," he said. "He’s still moving well post-surgery, and when he’s healthy, he’s still the favorite in any tournament he enters."
The seven-time Grand Slam winner pointed to Djokovic’s dominant performance against Fearnally as evidence:
- Djokovic hit 32 winners to just 15 unforced errors
- Won 88% of first-serve points
- Showed improved movement compared to his first-round match
The Injury Context
Djokovic’s comments came after he withdrew from the French Open quarterfinals due to a torn meniscus, requiring immediate surgery on June 5. Many questioned whether he’d recover in time for Wimbledon.
McEnroe acknowledged the physical challenges but remained optimistic: "The knee is clearly still a factor, but he’s managing it brilliantly. That’s what champions do—they find ways to win even at 80%."
Historical Precedents
The American commentator drew parallels to other late-career successes:
- Roger Federer won Wimbledon at age 36
- Ken Rosewall reached finals at 39
- Djokovic himself won three majors in 2023 at age 36
The GOAT Debate Continues
McEnroe also weighed in on how Djokovic’s longevity impacts the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) discussion: "Every year Novak keeps winning, he puts more distance between himself and Federer/Nadal in that conversation. That’s powerful motivation right there."
Statistics support McEnroe’s argument:
| Grand Slam Titles | 24 (Djokovic) | 22 (Nadal) | 20 (Federer) |
| Weeks at No. 1 | 428 | 209 | 310 |
The Road Ahead
With a potential third-round clash against Alexei Popyrin looming, McEnroe advised caution: "The next match will tell us more. If he gets through that comfortably, watch out—he could go all the way again."
Djokovic’s coach, Goran Ivanišević, echoed similar sentiments in a press conference: "Novak doesn’t come to tournaments to lose. When he steps on court, he believes he can win. That mindset hasn’t changed."
Conclusion: Too Soon to Say Goodbye
While Djokovic’s comments reflected understandable introspection, McEnroe’s analysis suggests the tennis world shouldn’t prepare farewell tributes just yet. As the Serbian star himself said after his victory: "I’m taking it match by match. Let’s see where this journey takes me."
With McEnroe in his corner and history still within reach, Djokovic’s Wimbledon campaign—and perhaps his career—may have several chapters remaining.