“I can still play on the highest level”: Djokovic, relishing proving his critics wrong
Zverev labelled the Serb as “underrated” after losing to him in the Roalnd-Garros quarter-finals
Dante Badano / PsnewZ
Thursday evening in Paris saw the world’s greatest-ever tennis player send a statement, both with his tennis and his words: count out Novak Djokovic at your peril.
“It’s a proven testament to myself that I can and to others that I can still play on the highest level,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion declared after beating world No 3 Alexander Zverev in four high-quality sets to make his 13th French Open semi-final.
Given Djokovic’s form over the past 18 months – no titles bar one good week at the Olympics, and plenty of soft, early losses – many had counted out the Serbian from ever contending for another major title. And yet, as he reminded the world on Thursday, the 38-year-old is an exception to the rule.
Djokovic reiterates Grand Slam priority
“This is where I kind of lock in and really give my best,” Djokovic continued.
“It’s all about Grand Slams for me, trying to raise the level and play my best tennis at these four tournaments, and this is what I have been managing to do.
“The win against Alcaraz in quarters of Australian Open, to win quarters against Zverev tonight proves to myself and others that I can still play on the highest level, and I just thrive on these occasions.
“It was an amazing match. Obviously beating one of the best players in the world on the biggest stages is something that I definitely work for, and I still, you know, push myself on a daily basis at this age because of these kind of matches and these kind of experiences.
“It’s obviously great feeling, and I’m trying to enjoy it.”
Zverev: Djokovic is “underrated”
Beaten quarter-finalist Zverev had high praise for Djokovic in his press conference, with the exasperated German highlighting how strong his opponent’s level was.
“What do you want me to say? He’s won 24 of these things,” Zverev said.
“I have not seen him play like this this year yet. I think it was very, very high level from him.
“At some point, I felt like I didn’t know how to win a point from the baseline against him. I thought he was having solutions to a lot of things that I was doing.
“So credit to him. He played better than me today.”
The world No 3 even went as far as labelling the games most prolific Grand Slam winner as “underrated” in 2025.
“I think at the moment he’s a bit underrated, to be honest,” he said.
“A lot of people count him out already, but this year he’s had wins over Carlos at the Australian Open, he has had a win over me at the French Open.
“Forget the age. I think for any player, those are pretty good results. He’s still beating the best of the best, so I think everybody needs to respect that.”
Just how good Djokovic is at the moment remains to be seen, with world No 1 Jannik Sinner waiting in Friday’s semi-final at Roland-Garros.
