“Djokovic is a special person” – Mats Wilander welcomes Novak Djokovic’s incredible wish before the Shanghai Masters

Former world No. 1 Mats Wilander says Novak Djokovic’s desire to compete with the new generation of tennis stars is “unbelievable.”

The 37-year-old is still fighting for the top titles after winning his first Olympic gold medal in the summer when he defeated 2024 Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz in Paris.

Djokovic will return to action in the second round of the Shanghai Masters, where players such as Alcaraz and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner are also in action.

Wilander praised Djokovic’s hunger to compete with the best.

“Well, Novak Djokovic is a special person,” he said. “We know that.

“The fact that he has the drive to still go out and try to win games, obviously in the big tournaments but also in the small tournaments, and play Davis Cup is absolutely incredible. It’s impressive that he physically wants to make the effort.

“But training when you are his age and have won as much as him is an absolute pleasure. I’m not talking about the gym sessions, but about hitting the tennis ball against him. Remember, he is on tour.”, people like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev.

“He plays with the best players in the world because they want to train with him. They don’t care if they play a game three days later.”

“They want to enjoy training and have a great time.”

Wilander won seven Grand Slams and three Davis Cups during his legendary tennis career.

At 37, the 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic is certainly at the end of his legendary career.

However, Wilander believes Djokovic may miss the lifestyle of a professional tennis player when he finally calls it quits.

“I think that lifestyle part of quitting professional tennis is the part that I personally miss the most,” he added.

“Not winning, not losing, not necessarily competing, but being on tour and training with the best guys in the world on Center Court in Shanghai or Center Court at Roland Garros.”

“But can he do well at the Grand Slams without playing so many tournaments? Can he do well at the Grand Slams if he goes to Shanghai feeling like it doesn’t matter?”

“Because at some point, if he starts losing to players who are ranked one, two or three in the world, but also to players who are ranked 10 to 20 in the world, his confidence could be affected, and self-belief the other guys will grow.”