Djokovic Ties Men’s Tennis Record, Ready for More

Djokovic Ties Men’s Tennis Record, Ready for More

Novak Djokovic is once again the top-ranked tennis player in the world. And he has no plans to give up the top spot anytime soon.

The Serbian star's victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece was his 10th Australian Open championship. The win also tied him with Rafael Nadal of Spain for the men's record of 22 Grand Slam championships. The Australian Open is the first of the four yearly Grand Slam championships, followed by the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open.

After his victory, Djokovic said, "I still have lots of motivation. Let's see how far it takes me. I really don't want to stop here." He added, "I feel great about my tennis. I know that when I'm feeling good physically¹, (and) mentally present, I have a chance to win any Slam against anybody."

Djokovic could not play in last year's Australian Open after being deported³ for not being vaccinated⁴ against COVID-19. This year, he had to deal with a leg injury. And he had to deal with questions about his father being seen in photos with supporters of Russia.

After the victory, a crying Djokovic said he was "emotionally collapsed⁵." He told the crowd that it took a lot of mental energy, but he wanted to see how far he could go.

Djokovic, along with Nadal and Roger Federer of Switzerland are often called "the Big Three" in tennis. From 2003 to 2023, they won 64 of the last 77 Grand Slams.

In the modern game, only Roger Federer has won a Grand Slam past the age of 35. In 2018, Federer won the last of his 20 Slams at age 36. The following year, at the age of 37, Federer was only one point away from winning Wimbledon but lost to Djokovic in one of Wimbledon's greatest matches.

Federer is now 41 and retired⁶. Nadal is 36 and he withdrew from the Australian Open this year because of an injury.

As Djokovic is turning 36 in May, tennis fans are questioning how much longer Djokovic can keep winning the Grand Slams.

"Definitely two, three more years," said Goran Ivanisevic, the 2001 Wimbledon champion who has coached Djokovic since 2019. "The way he's taking care of his body, the way he (approaches) everything . . .it's amazing."

But there are young players competing for the top spot. Last year, Spain's Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest-ever world number one at age 19 after winning the U.S. Open. A leg injury kept Alcaraz from this year's Australian Open.

Djokovic was also not permitted to play in the U.S. Open last year for not being vaccinated against COVID-19. No decision has been made for this year's U.S. Open. But the Serbian is considered among the favorites to win the French and Wimbledon championships.

"Physically, I can keep myself fit. Of course, 35 is not 25, even though I want to believe it is," Djokovic said. "But I still feel there is time ahead of me. Let's see how far I go."

Words in This Story

rank -n. position in a scale relative to others

motivation -n. the desire to do something or accomplish certain goals

deport² -v. a governmental action forcing a person out of the country and returning them to their own country of origin

match -n. an athletic⁷ competition between two individuals or teams

fit -adj. characterized by having high levels of strength, speed, and endurance

1 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

2 deport   

vt.驱逐出境

参考例句：

• We deport aliens who slip across our borders.我们把偷渡入境的外国人驱逐出境。
• More than 240 England football fans are being deported from Italy following riots last night.昨晚的骚乱发生后有240多名英格兰球迷被驱逐出意大利。

3 deported   

v.将…驱逐出境( deport的过去式和过去分词 )；举止

参考例句：

• They stripped me of my citizenship and deported me. 他们剥夺我的公民资格，将我驱逐出境。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The convicts were deported to a deserted island. 罪犯们被流放到一个荒岛。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 vaccinated   

[医]已接种的，种痘的，接种过疫菌的

参考例句：

• I was vaccinated against tetanus. 我接种了破伤风疫苗。
• Were you vaccinated against smallpox as a child? 你小时候打过天花疫苗吗？

5 collapsed   

adj.倒塌的

参考例句：

• Jack collapsed in agony on the floor. 杰克十分痛苦地瘫倒在地板上。
• The roof collapsed under the weight of snow. 房顶在雪的重压下突然坍塌下来。

6 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

7 athletic   

adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的

参考例句：

• This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。
• He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。