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Serena Williams' childhood coach Rick Macci is pumping the brakes on the Novak Djokovic is done claims, highlighting that "there is no new sheriff in town" despite the Serb failing to win the Australian Open.
At this year's Australian Open, 36-year-old Djokovic suffered his first-ever semifinal defeat in Melbourne, losing 6-1 6-2 6-7 (6) 6-3 to Jannik Sinner. After beating Djokovic in a very impressive fashion, 22-year-old Sinner also defeated Daniil Medvedev to win his first Grand Slam title.
Following such an ending to the Australian Open, some started claiming that this finally might be the time when Djokovic's Slam dominance ends.
Williams' ex-coach Macci on Djokovic: He is still the sheriff in town
“Hey guys, let’s talk a little bit about Djoker okay? Uh! You know, tough match against Sinner. Sinner got a lot of confidence being there, done that," Macci said in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel.
"But listen this guy is so special, you know what a role model. You know to be out there at this age, what he did last year. Three out of four Slams, you know it’s unbelievable.
"You know, barring injuries he’s not going anywhere. There’s no new sheriff in town. He’s going to be right in there, okay. As long as he’s healthy, he’s a contender for every Slam."
After a disappointing end to his Australian Open campaign, Djokovic went to Spain with his family before going on a winter holiday in South Tyrol, Italy.
When it comes to this month's Middle East swing, Djokovic won't be competing in any tournaments. Instead, his coach Goran Ivanisevic confirmed over the weekend that the Serb's next tournament will come at the Indian Wells in March.
For Djokovic - a five-time Indian Wells champion - it will be his first appearance in the desert since 2019 and the first one since the vaccine drama.