Ken Rosewall Comments on Djokovic's Potential Record-Breaking Slam

In a recent podcast interview, tennis legend Ken Rosewall expressed his thoughts on Novak Djokovic's pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, which could surpass Rosewall's own long-standing achievement as the oldest Grand Slam champion. This discussion comes in light of Djokovic's impressive performance in 2025, where he reached three consecutive major semifinals at the age of 38. Rosewall, who held the record for nearly 53 years since his victory at the Australian Open in 1972, indicated that he would welcome Djokovic breaking his record. 'Either way I wouldn’t mind, but Novak, you know, he deserves his record, what he has. He’s won more Grand Slams than anybody else, so another one wouldn’t hurt,' said Rosewall, now 90 years old.

Rosewall’s historic win came at the age of 37 when he defeated fellow Australian Mal Anderson in what he termed the 'Golden Oldies' final. Reflecting on his achievement, Rosewall noted that the competition at the time was not as robust, as many European players avoided the grass courts in Australia. 'The field wasn’t as strong as it could’ve been because a lot of European players didn’t like to play on grass too much in Australia and they never made the effort to play grasscourt tennis,' he explained. Despite the passage of time, Rosewall’s legacy remains significant, as he continues to be recognized for his contributions to the sport and his record that Djokovic now has a chance to surpass.

As a testament to his enduring impact on tennis, Rosewall remains a symbol of longevity in the sport, having played professionally for 25 years. While he acknowledges the challenges of his career and reflects on matches he could have won, such as his four Wimbledon finals, his focus remains on the excitement of the game and the new generation of players. Djokovic, alongside rising stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, represents a shift in men’s tennis, with the younger players winning a total of nine Grand Slams between them since 2024.

As the tennis community watches closely, the implications of Djokovic potentially breaking Rosewall's record touch not only on individual achievement but also reflect the evolving landscape of professional tennis. While age may have placed Djokovic at a disadvantage compared to his younger counterparts, his track record showcases resilience and mastery of the sport. With the next Grand Slam on the horizon, the question remains: can Djokovic secure another title and etch his name further into the annals of tennis history? The anticipation builds, as fans and analysts alike speculate on the possible outcomes and the legacy of one of the sport's greatest players.