Former WTA player and current Eurosport tennis expert Barbara Schett showered praise on Novak Djokovic in the wake of his US Open win and says Carlos Alcaraz has a long way to go.
Djokovic was projected to meet Alcaraz in the 2023 US Open final, but the final that many expected and wanted never materialized as Daniil Medvedev authored a semifinal upset to end the young Spaniard's title defense, and put himself in contention to challenge Djokovic.
In a repeat of the 2021 US Open final, Djokovic avenged that loss, and he was looser and fitter than an opponent who was almost a decade younger. After three hours and 17 minutes, it was the indefatigable Serbian who completed the full dissection of Medvedev to earn a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam singles crown.
Speaking after the match, Schett told Eurosport there is the likelihood Djokovic's numbers will not be repeated, adding the colossal work Alcaraz has to do to even get there. The former Austrian WTA player then questioned whether Djokovic was indeed human.
"We will probably never witness this again. I mean, it is a long way for Carlos Alcaraz if he ever wants to get there! How many more weeks can he be the No. 1 player in the world? I mean, we have to ask this question because I am just not sure if he is human anymore."
Fellow experts Mats Wilander and Alex Corretja concurred with Schett. Wilander, a seven-time major champion, sees no reason why Djokovic will not add to his record Grand Slam tally next year stating his unmatched mental toughness as a significant edge, while Corretja explained the difference maker being Djokovic's ability to play the most important points perfectly.
"There is no reason that I can see why he cannot be a Grand Slam winner again three or four times next year because his mind is so strong and he can do everything."
"He has the feeling inside himself that he can keep on going. This year he has shown that he has been the best. I was very surprised when he won Roland-Garros, just the way he played. Again today, he was suffering so much and fighting, but he was so precise in the important moments."
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