Information are supposed to be damaged. When Pete Sampras retired with 14 majors, it was exhausting to foresee anybody surpassing his document, not to mention three gamers — Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokov — all surpassing him for probably the most Grand Slam titles in historical past.
One tennis document, nevertheless, has stood for over 54 years: the oldest participant to win a significant, a feat achieved by Ken Rosewall, who was 37 years and 55 days outdated when he gained the 1972 Australian Open.
Djokovic, 38, has been unsuccessful in his pursuit of the document, falling within the semifinals in any respect three majors so far this yr. His newest loss, in straight units to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon final week, was one other indicator that he might by no means seize one other slam.
Rosewall is rooting for Djokovic to eclipse his longstanding document.
“Both approach, I would not thoughts, however Novak, you recognize, he deserves his document, what he has. He is gained extra Grand Slams than anyone else, so one other one would not harm,” the 90-year-old instructed “The Sit-Down” podcast. “For me, it was simply a type of issues. I imply I stayed taking part in tennis and that is what stored me taking part in properly and stored me feeling properly.”
Djokovic turned the third-oldest man to win a significant (Open Period) when he captured the 2023 U.S. Open at age 36 years and 97 days. Since that win, he has made simply the one slam ultimate, on the 2024 Wimbledon, the place he misplaced in straight units to Carlos Alcaraz.
Roger Federer (36 years and 158 days) stays the second-oldest man to win a slam, a document he achieved together with his 2018 Australian Open win. Federer almost broke Rosewall’s document at 2019 Wimbledon, the place he misplaced within the ultimate to Djokovic in a five-set thriller.
Djokovic will get one other shot at breaking Rosewall’s document on the upcoming U.S. Open. A four-time winner at Flushing Meadows, the Serbian icon can be chasing a record-breaking twenty fifth main title.
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