“Nadal and Djokovic have something in the brain that doesn’t belong to humans” – Magnus Norman

The former world No 2 believes there will be a new Grand Slam winner in men’s tennis in 2023

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal at Roland-Garros in 2022

AI/Reuters/Panoramic

April 14, 2023

Former world No 2 Magnus Norman, who is back on the coaching team of three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka, has applauded the drive and motivation of 22-time Grand Slam winners Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in a new interview to Clay magazine.

Norman played Nadal just once on the pro tour and never played against Djokovic but during his eight-year stint with Wawrinka, he got an up-close look at the two players, who are now fighting it out for the record of most Grand Slam singles titles in men’s tennis.

The Swede, now aged 46, believes the two G.O.A.T. contenders have something special in them that makes them extraordinary.

“They (Nadal and Djokovic) are professionals 365 days per year. They have something in the brain that doesn’t belong to humans,” Norman said. “They are hungry to become better all the time, they can handle pressure like nobody else. I’m so impressed by the way they are doing this along all these years. (It) is tough to imagine. They have something special that puts them in the top 3, top 4 of the greatest of all times.”

However, Norman does believe that there is a transition underway men’s tennis and predicts a new Grand Slam winner this year.

“Yes,” Norman responded when asked if he predicted a new Slam winner in 2023. “No bet, but there is a shift in the top. Roger quit, Novak is on the top, but Rafa is struggling as it looks right know. You have a whole new generation knocking on the door, led by Carlos Alcaraz who already won a Slam. Alexander Zverev is coming back, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Nick Kyrgios, Felix Auger-Aliassime is playing really well, Jannik Sinner of course. I do expect a new Grand Slam champion in 2023.”

“I’ve told him: you have to play tennis when and where you want it. You don’t go chasing points, just try to be happy”
Magnus Norman on Stan Wawrinka

Speaking about his own charge, Norman said that the two have not set any specific ranking goals but he wants Wawrinka to be well prepared to play the tournaments he enters and enjoy his last few years on the tour.

“His (Stan’s) tennis is the same. He looks very, very motivated,” the former Roland-Garros runner-up said. “We have to be very careful, by not overplaying and not doing too much. We need extra care in recovery, as that takes more time when you are older. We have spoken about it. If he wants to win another tournament, he needs to win five matches, play five days in a row against good players. That’s the tricky part, and as he is older, we need to put extra care in his body.”

“We don’t talk much about big tournaments, we don’t talk much about results. The goal is to try to prepare him as good as possible for all the events. He needs to feel inside that he is playing good tennis. With that feeling and a good preparation he can beat any of the top players any day. What is going be difficult is to make that for seven matches. But we don’t put any ranking goals, any pressure of reaching certain level. I’ve told him: you have to play tennis when and where you want it. You don’t go chasing points, just try to be happy. He has to enjoy his last years on the tour, because he already has had an amazing career.”