37 Year Old Novak Djokovic Continues To Be Invincible As He Keeps Pulling Off Marathon Comeback Wins At The French Open

Mateo Villalba. Getty Images.

Novak Djokovic is an alien. I used to despise the guy, but now I'm forced to just watch in amazement as he continues to push back against the youth of the sport while telling Father Time to fuck off. Back to back matches now he's come back from the dead to stay alive at the French Open. Both opponents more than a decade younger than him, and it just doesn't matter. He's a freak. An invincible psychopath with maybe the best mental game anyone has ever had. He's become undoubtably one of the greatest athletes in the history of sports. 

Over the weekend he had to find it against Lorenzo Musetti and did just that in 4 hours and 32 minutes. Today it was Francisco Cerundolo in 4 hours and 37 minutes. Nine hours on court in the last 3 days is lunacy for a man his age, but unless you've killed the man, he almost always finds a way. Just ask Cerundolo after today. The epitome of Thanos telling Thor "you should've gone for the head."

Today he dealt with a knee injury after slipping on the clay. Some believe he embellished it a bit, but I can't seem to figure out what he'd have to gain from all that. Play mind tricks with his opponent to suffer another four and half hour match? Unless he's a true sociopath I don't buy it. I think he's just an old dude who slipped and tweaked something. 

What it all really comes down to is you can't count this man out until it's over and you see two guys shaking hands at the net. By all accounts this has been the worst year he's had in a long time. He got worked in the Aussie finals by Sinner. He's been ousted by guys like Luca Nardi, Alejandro Tabilo, and Tomas Machac at notable tournaments. Novak hasn't actually played in a final since January. He split with his coach and his trainer in the mean time. Many believed his motivation was gone, having accomplished all he's needed to in his career. All that really has alluded him is a gold medal at the Olympics. Part of me thought he was using the French Open as a tune up for the Paris games next month. Nope, he very much cares and somehow still has it in him to out-last these kids. The joy he gains by denying these kids their moment keeps him going, and it's terrifying. 

The French Open doesn't want to grow their tournament on Twitter so they basically don't allow clips to be posted. All I've got for you is their 3 minute YouTube highlight reel. 

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Next up for him will be Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals. Their most recent matchup found the Norwegian coming out on top in Monte Carlo last month. Grand slam is a different story though. 

The level in competition takes a giant jump from here. If he's to survive that Ruud match then a Zverev or Rune could be waiting in the semis. In the finals? You're looking at Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner which would be can't miss stuff. He's already the greatest tennis player ever, but if he pulls this run off it'd be fucking ridiculous, even by his standards. But if you count him out, you'll likely end up looking very stupid. This is when the fun starts.