Novak Djokovic set out to achieve the ultimate feat in tennis

Novak Djokovic is preparing to return to the Australian Open and is being backed to dominate the men’s game like never before in 2023.

Djokovic is playing in his first Australian Open in two years after being kicked out in Melbourne a year ago for his decision not to take the Covid vaccine.

Now former US Open quarter-finalist Barbara Schett has so far made an exuberant prediction of what the Serbian can achieve this year.

There are still major doubts about whether he will be allowed to enter America, as their government currently still requires a Covid vaccination for foreign visitors, but Schett has told Tennis365 that Djokovic will be able to complete the Grand Slam on the calendar in the next few months.

The 21-time champion is aiming for a tie with Rafael Nadal for the lead in the race to win the most Grand Slam titles in history in Melbourne.

We’re talking ahead of the Australian Open, which is live and exclusivediscovery+and Eurosport, Schett told us that Djokovic will be hard to beat in a year where he can cement his status as the greatest player of all time.

“I think he can win every Grand Slam this year,” Schett told Tennis365.

“He’s a versatile player. He’s comfortable on all surfaces. If he has 25 (majors) by the end of the year, anything is possible.

“It depends on his body. It’s not going to get easier, but we know he’s a super professional. He’s meticulous about his nutrition, he does yoga and does so many things mentally that other players haven’t done.

“That’s why I think he’ll be around for a few more years.”

Schett suggested that Djokovic’s absence from key tournaments due to a vaccine test last year could help him now that he is back on court.

“He played about eleven tournaments last year and is still ranked 5th in the world,” Barbara added.

“Playing this little will extend his career maybe another year. It’s not a bad thing to have a softer year.

– Younger people are approaching him, but he is still the favorite of the Australian Open.

“Playing against Novak in a Grand Slam is very different. We’ll have to see how he feels about his quad problem, but he loves Rod Laver Arena. He feels so good every time he plays and he has to be a big favourite.

– He had some scares in his first tournament of the year in Adelaide and Sebastian Korda had a match point against him in the final, but Novak still found a way into the tournament.

– That’s what these great masters do. They have the ability to win when they’re not at their best, and it’s so difficult for others to beat them, and from the psychological point of view of tennis.”

Meanwhile, Djokovic received a joyous welcome back at Melbourne Park in a sold-out practice match against Nick Kyrgios on Friday.

The Australian Open has staged a series of warm-up matches leading up to the start of the tournament on Monday, culminating in this contest at Rod Laver Arena.

The cheap A$20 (about 11) tickets were all sold out within an hour of going on sale, and any fears Djokovic might have had about the reception he received after last years banishment would have vanished when he saw the Serbian flags in the crowd.

The nine-time champion said: “I am very happy.” Thanks a lot. I’m feeling a little emotional. I was looking forward to returning to this court.

As well as the emotions of returning to Melbourne, Djokovic has been battling a left hamstring injury and wearing tape on his leg, while Kyrgios pulled out of representing Australia at the United Cup due to his own foot problem.

But this wasn’t a match to test either man’s fitness, the light competition saw Djokovic dance around the court before wheelchair stars David Wagner and Heath Davidson and two junior players joined the two men for the final match.

Djokovic and Kyrgios both used microphones and played to the crowd, who lapped up their tricks.

Speaking afterwards, Djokovic said: “It feels great to be back in Australia, back in Melbourne. This is the court where I created the best memories of my tennis career.

Kyrgios was one of the few players to defend Djokovic last year over his vaccination status, thawing a previously frosty relationship.

“It’s just so important that he’s around,” Kyrgios said. “I don’t think I knew how special these guys are to our sport.”

The Australian Open is live on Eurosport and Discovery+ from Monday.