At 38, Novak Djokovic continues to defy time, much like NBA legend LeBron James, drawing parallels that cement his status as one of the greatest athletes in modern sports. John McEnroe, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, recently hailed the Serbian tennis icon as “the LeBron James of tennis,” marveling at his relentless competitiveness and ability to challenge younger rivals despite the physical toll of age. This comparison, sparked by Djokovic’s remarkable performance at the 2025 French Open, underscores a career defined by record-breaking achievements, mental fortitude, and an unyielding drive to evolve—a narrative that mirrors James’ enduring dominance in basketball.
Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam singles titles, a men’s record, place him among the pantheon of sporting greats. His 2023 US Open triumph marked his latest major, though 2025 has tested his resilience. A semifinal retirement due to injury against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open and a straight-sets loss to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros showed cracks in his armor. Yet, fresh off his 100th career title at the Geneva Open in May 2025, Djokovic roared back at the French Open, dropping just one set en route to the semifinals. McEnroe, reflecting on this tenacity, said, “It’s impossible not to admire him. Due to his age, he struggles more and more to keep up with Carlos and Jannik’s pace, but he remains a prodigy, someone science should study.” The American legend emphasized Djokovic’s edge: “He has two major advantages: his experience and the ability to recover from tough moments.”
The parallels with LeBron James, now 40 and still a force in the NBA, are striking. Both entered their respective sports in 2003, with Djokovic turning pro and James debuting in the NBA. Each has sustained excellence into their late 30s, a feat requiring meticulous preparation and adaptability. Djokovic himself acknowledged this shared mindset in 2023, saying, “Maybe you can call me a perfectionist. I know I’m not the only one. There’s a lot of great champions in different sports that thrive on this kind of approach to perfect themselves… that’s why LeBron James is still performing at the highest level.” Like James, who has four NBA championships and four MVP awards, Djokovic has rewritten tennis’ record books, holding 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles, seven ATP Finals, and over 400 weeks as World No. 1.
What sets Djokovic apart, as McEnroe noted, is his solitary burden. “There’s nowhere to run or hide,” he said, contrasting tennis with team sports where athletes like James or Cristiano Ronaldo can rely on teammates. Every serve, return, and match point rests on Djokovic’s shoulders, a pressure he’s shouldered against the toughest era in men’s tennis. His head-to-head records against Roger Federer (27-23) and Rafael Nadal (31-29) highlight his dominance over fellow legends, a feat unmatched in basketball, where James never faced Michael Jordan directly. Patrick McEnroe, President of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, argued in March 2025 that this individual brilliance makes Djokovic the ultimate GOAT, surpassing team-sport icons. “He’s a scientist,” McEnroe said, praising Djokovic’s obsessive precision, like analyzing serve returns at the 2023 US Open.
Djokovic’s longevity draws further comparisons to James’ off-court discipline. Both have embraced science—Djokovic with his tailored diet and recovery protocols, James with his legendary fitness regimen. Boris Becker, Djokovic’s former coach, likened him to James, Lionel Messi, and Tom Brady in 2023, saying, “For me, that’s the category Novak is in because all these athletes are dominating or have dominated their sport even in their mid or late thirties.” As Djokovic eyes Wimbledon 2025, where he holds a 5-3 edge over Carlos Alcaraz, the question isn’t retirement but whether he’ll claim a 25th major. “Why should he retire if he continues to be so competitive?” McEnroe asked, echoing the sentiment around James’ ongoing NBA career.
As Djokovic navigates a new era led by Sinner and Alcaraz, his legacy as tennis’ LeBron James grows. His passion, as McEnroe noted, remains “staggering,” fueling a career that redefines greatness in a sport where every victory is a solo conquest.
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