'Novak Djokovic v everyone else' - Brad Gilbert predicts how many Grand Slams tennis star will win this year

Updated 09/02/2023 at 10:42 GMT

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has received a lot of plaudits after he clinched his 22nd Grand Slam singles title at the 2023 Australian Open with his stunning victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas. Tennis expert Brad Gilbert is the latest big name to lavish praise on the 35-year-old. Speaking on the latest episode of the 'Holding Court with Patrick McEnroe' podcast, he gave some strong views.

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High-profile former tennis player and coach, Brad Gilbert, has predicted how many Grand Slams world No. 1 Novak Djokovic will end up winning this season after his Australian Open triumph.

The Serb returned to the top of the world rankings with his latest success at Melbourne Park as he in the showpiece final on Rod Laver Arena with another hugely impressive victory on the biggest stage.

Djokovic now has 22 Grand Slam singles titles to his name - the same tally as his great rival Rafael Nadal - as he returned to Australia in style to claim the opening major of the new season and hoist himself back atop the ATP rankings.

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The 35-year-old will have a tough time attempting to win his third French Open title in a few months' time with his great rival, Rafael Nadal, and rising star Carlos Alcaraz amongst the big-name contenders. While he did not specify which of the three remaining Grand Slams he thought Djokovic would win, Gilbert gave a fascinating prediction.

"I think that it is definitely going to be Djoker v everyone else this year," Brad Gilbert said on the Holding Court with Patrick McEnroe podcast.

"If I had to set an over-under, I would say two-and-a-half Slams for him. He is getting better at 35.

"I think before, it was all about Rafa [Nadal] and Fed [Roger Federer] for him, they are measuring and making their improvements to them. The 'Big 3' pushed each other," Gilbert explained.

"But now, Djoker, I believe, has gone to another elevation where he is making these adjustments in his game to [face] Tsitsipas and Alcaraz [and similar players], to all the young players that are pushing him. That is probably in some sense going to add time to his game."

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As the conversation on the podcast moved into other areas, Gilbert and McEnroe compared to some extent the similarities and differences between Djokovic and fellow legends of different eras, Andre Agassi and Ivan Lendl.

"I really believe that if you put Andre Agassi and Ivan Lendl in the blender, you get Novak Djokovic," Gilbert said.

McEnroe agreed: "The only difference is that Djokovic is lightening fast.

"Both those guys, Agassi and Lendl, were quick and could cover the court, but they weren't lightening fast and as quick as Novak."

The views from Gilbert and McEnroe come days after another tennis legend, Jimmy Connors, had his say on his 'Advantage Connors' podcast with his son Brett.

"I want to say this, the guy is one f***ing great tennis player, right?" Connors said on the latest episode.

"He is not afraid to go out there and play the game, his game. Win or lose. He is not afraid to put it on the line. He knows he has got a bullseye on his back. Even more now.

"He is not afraid against all these young guys, who had some pretty good tournaments. But he is not afraid of that. He plays the game, he is not afraid to mix it up.

"He is not afraid to take the ball early, he is not afraid to get 20 balls to win a point. He is not afraid to figure out a way to win - and, you know, to me, I like seeing that."