John McEnroe, whilst commentating on Novak Djokovic’s French Round win over Cam Norrie, was naturally full of praise for the 38-year-old.
After all, he put in a classically ruthless performance, completely dismantling the Brit and extending his winning run over him to six.
It always felt like he was the favourite, but the manner in which he has brushed through the bulk of his opponents at this event has been startling.
In fact, he is actually still yet to drop a set, yet has been rewarded with a match against Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals.
John McEnroe praises area of Novak Djokovic’s game
If he is to defeat the world number three, Novak Djokovic will have to be faultless. Fortunately, his tournament thus far has not been far away from that.
Frustratingly, though, the 24-time Grand Slam champion is yet to really have an opponent trouble him in the way that the big-serving, fast-moving and rock-solid Zverev will do.
McEnroe, though, thinks that Djokovic definitely has the skillset to do so, having lauded two areas of his game that have actually improved as he has grown older.
He said live on TNT Sports: ‘One of the things he has improved as he’s gotten older is his skills at the net. He’s a terrific net player now. His serve is so underrated. It’s really good at kind of hitting the spots.’
Djokovic highlighted the turning point of his career recently, which provided the springboard for the limitless success that has followed.
Novak Djokovic looks as good as ever at Roland Garros
It’s incredible how Djokovic, at 38 years old, continues to defy the physical limits of tennis with his performances.
There has been quite a clear drop-off from the Serbian across the last 12 months, but when he is fully fit and on form, he remains a threat to everyone on the tour.
Novak Djokovic’s last five Grand Slam results
| Tournament | Year | Round Reached | Player lost to… |
| Australian Open | 2025 | Semi-Final | Alexander Zverev (retired) |
| US Open | 2024 | Third Round | Alexei Popyrin |
| Wimbledon | 2024 | Final | Carlos Alcaraz |
| French Open | 2024 | Quarter-Final | Casper Ruud (walkover) |
| Australian Open | 2024 | Semi-Final | Jannik Sinner |
Carlos Alcaraz still struggles to overcome him, as exhibited at the Olympics and in the Australian Open, and having just won his 100th career title in Geneva, that cut-throat title-winning mindset remains.
If he is to win this Grand Slam though, he will certainly have to do it the hard way.
Should he bypass Zverev, the expectation is that Jannik Sinner will be awaiting him in the semi-finals.
Djokovic has lost his last three matches against the world number one.
And then, if by some magic the former world number one wins again, Alcaraz will likely be hoping to defend his French Open crown in the final.
Although, for Djokovic, things have never been easy. He will likely relish such a challenge.
