Novak Djokovic is ‘trying to cheat nature’ to break Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s record for the ‘longest career’, says Nikolay Davydenko.
Djokovic is the last player from the Big Four era of professional men’s tennis still active after the retirements of Federer, Nadal and Andy Murray.
The Serbian legend, 37, recently hired Murray as a coach as he attempts to land a historic 25th major singles title at the Australian Open next month.
He has already passed Federer (20) and Nadal (22) for the most Grand Slam singles trophies but former world No.3 Davydenko believes there is another record Djokovic wants to break before he hangs up his racket.
‘He’s trying to cheat nature,’ Davydenko told Match TV. ‘We’ll see if he succeeds.
‘Maybe he wants to surpass Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s record for longest career.
‘Roger finished at 41, maybe Novak wants to reach that age. Maybe he’ll play fewer tournaments.’
Davydenko won 21 career titles – most notably at the 2009 ATP Finals – while he reached four major semi-finals, losing three of them to Federer.
The retired Russian, 43, quizzed further about Djokovic, added: ‘Federer at 40 tried to prove he was tough. But he didn’t prove anything.
‘Djokovic is doing the same thing now, he is trying to show that age is no problem for him.
‘Novak is trying to cheat nature, but he can only do it for a couple of years. We are not robots. The loads are serious, injuries happen.
‘Take any current tennis player – everyone had, has or will have health problems. Everyone finishes their career because of injuries that limit our training.’
Djokovic sent an emotional message to Federer, Nadal and Murray earlier this year, admitting that a ‘part of him left with them’ amid their respective retirements from the sport.
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