Novak Djokovic’s former coach Marian Vajda feels his ex-pupil has two big qualities of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal amalgamated in him. Vajda believes the Serb has the complete game of Roger Federer and the tenacity of Nadal.
Djokovic came on to the tour when Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were already dominating and he made a place for himself at the top level. The Serbian recently won his 22nd Grand Slam title to go level with Rafael Nadal’s tally after winning the Australian Open for the 10th time in his glorious career.
Meanwhile, Vajda started working with Djokovic in 2006, when the Serb was coming up the ranks. Vajda and Djokovic were associated for the first 20 Slam wins.
“Each one has its character, but Novak is a mixture of both. He has the complete game of Roger and the tenacity of Nadal, and that combination is deadly,” said Vajda in an interview with Ole Tennis.
The 35-year-old is playing at his best and he is still fit as a fiddle, which makes him a strong contender to finish with most Major titles in his career, and Vajda also agrees with the same.
“That’s your goal. It has no limits and that seems incredible to me. He is physically well and for that, he needs to be like this. If he doesn’t have injuries and remains physically stable, he already showed at the Australian Open what he is capable of,” the Slovak asserted.
Vajda went on to add that the Big 3 were the best in the business and they are still the best, though Roger Federer called time in 2022 after the Laver Cup.
“They always play well and the objectives are the same: to be the best. They always want more and more and go forward. For 15-20 years they were and still are the best. There the mentality is the key and I think the rivalry helped them: it is the fuel they have to continue,” conveyed Vajda.
Djokovic and Nadal are currently out of action due to respective injuries.