Eurosport expert Mats Wilander believes that Novak Djokovic “survived” the years of domination that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal had over men’s tennis.

The 38-year-old will bring the curtain down at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga in November, while Federer, the 20-time major champion, retired back in 2022.

Djokovic, meanwhile, despite being the youngest of the three, has surpassed the pair in Grand Slam titles, winning an astounding 24 so far.

Djokovic’s resilience in the face of such domination has mightily impressed Wilander, who said that Djokovic is “on a different journey” in the twilight of his career.

“I think Novak is on a different journey than worrying about Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in a way,” Wilander said.

“He surpassed them in Grand Slam victories and pretty much in every record that is worth counting. So I think that there’s no threat, obviously, from Rafael Nadal to Novak Djokovic. At least, I don’t think so now.

“I think Novak has told us all, ‘Hey, I want to keep playing because these guys, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik [Sinner] and the rest, they are so good, and are pushing me to be better and better and better’.

“Maybe he’s not better than he used to be, but to him, he’s putting out his best every single day, and he’s able to do that even after having knee surgery.”

Wilander believes that the Serb will be “proud” for the way that he competed despite the number of Grand Slams that were won by Federer and Nadal.

“I think Novak will feel so proud,” Wilander said.

“I mean, sad in a way, but he lived through the storm. Yes, he’s younger than both Roger and Rafa, and Andy [Murray] and him, I think, are the same age or pretty close, but he survived it all.

“He is the winningest male tennis player ever. I think he would just be proud.

“I think he sees it more than anyone, the effect that Federer and Nadal have had on Alcaraz and Sinner and the guys behind him.

“I think Novak has felt the effect of the big two, Rafa and Roger, more than any player. That’s going to make him feel so good because he was part of that. And the effect of Novak is very clear when it comes to the physicality of all the players today.”