Retired ATP star Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has declared that Novak Djokovic has proven again this year “that the level at which he evolved has not yet been reached.”

The former world No 5 labelled Djokovic as “the most complete player on the circuit” and asserted the Serbian legend is “the one with the most guns on his asset.”

Tsonga – who won 18 ATP titles, including two at Masters 1000 level – called an end to his impressive 18-year career after the 2022 French Open.

The Frenchman reached the final of the 2008 Australian Open as an unseeded player and was beaten by Djokovic in four sets as the then 20-year-old claimed his maiden Major title. The Frenchman won six of the 23 matches he contested against Djokovic from 2008 to 2019.
Djokovic, who turned 36 in May, had one of the best seasons of his incredible career in 2023, winning seven titles – six of which came at ‘big events.’

The world No 1 won three of the four Major tournaments to take his Grand Slam tally to a men’s record of 24, while he also claimed a record seventh ATP Finals crown.

The Serbian has now won 12 Majors in his 30s and has a 12-3 record in Grand Slam finals since turning 30. Only Ken Rosewall and Roger Federer have won a Grand Slam title at an older age than Djokovic managed at the 2023 US Open in September.

On his Instagram story, Tsonga recently responded to a question from a fan asking him to choose between Djokovic and world No 4 Jannik Sinner.

“I’m rather from ‘Djoko’ school because I’ve been around him for many years. I think he is the most complete player on the circuit,” the 38-year-old wrote.

“He is the one with the most guns on his asset. And he proved again this year that the level at which he evolved has not yet been reached.”

Djokovic and Sinner have played three times this month, with the Italian earning his first victory over the Serbian at the ATP Finals in Turin, before Djokovic won the rematch in the final.

Sinner then saved three match points to down Djokovic in the semi-finals of the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga last week as Italy defeated Serbia en route to claiming the title.

Speaking in an interview with Le Republicain Lorrain earlier this month, Tsonga identified Djokovic as the best player in the history of the sport and backed him to add to his record Major tally.

“The GOAT is Djokovic. And I think he can go for 25, 26, 27… maybe 28 Grand Slam tournaments. You never know,” he assessed.