Djokovic a 'better player than ever' believes Wilander: "It's not Nadal or Federer but the game's moved and I think he's better"

Mats Wilander stated that Novak Djokovic is a better player now than ever, even when he is not playing against Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer.

The former world No. 1, Mats Wilander, commented on the level that 'Nole' has shown in his journey to the Wimbledon final. Novak Djokovic faced Jannik Sinner in the semifinals and displayed a superlative performance to defeat the young Italian 6-3, 6-4, 7-6.

Wilander, a 7-time Grand Slam champion, compared Djokovic's match against Sinner with the one he had in the French Open semifinals against Carlos Alcaraz a month ago, a match that ended with Djokovic's victory 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1

“I rate this performance in a similar fashion [to when] he did what he did against Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open,” said Wilander to Eurosports.

“I think he has realised, and he’s played enough tough matches like the one last year here against Sinner, that these guys are good, they hit the ball really hard – harder than Rafa [Nadal], Roger [Federer] and Andy [Murray] did, much harder,” he added.

“They take it early and I think he’s realized that a human being cannot withstand that all the time. I feel like he goes a little bit more aggressively from the beginning and puts Sinner on his heels. It’s tough for Sinner to get any grip with his footing once he’s defending.

“I think for Novak it’s all by design. Is he a better player now than ever? I would have to say that he is. It’s not Nadal and Federer he’s playing against, but the game’s moved in that direction and I think he’s better,” claimed Wilander.

The Serb will face world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the final, where they will not only compete for the title but also for the top spot in the rankings. If Djokovic wins the trophy again, he will surpass the Spanish player in the ATP ranking.