​Novak Djokovic has equaled Roger Federer’s most Grand Slam quarter-finals with 58, and the Serb is now optimistic about a match with Taylor Fritz, a matchup that could propel him into the top four of the 2023 US Open.

Novak Djokovic and the model copied from Roger Federer: he only plays the really important tournaments at the end of his career

Now 36 years old (he turns May 22nd), Nole has throttled his engines considerably in terms of the tournaments he plays in during the season.

The strategy is not new, and Severin Luthi (Roger Federer’s former coach) talks about the decision made by Novak in recent seasons, copied from the model presented by Mr. Perfect in the last seasons of his sports career.

Luthi praises Joker’s late-career schedule change and points to another aspect in which the future ATP top seed (who won’t return to world No. 1 after the US Open) excels: the Serb doesn’t need too many matches or tournaments to get in shape. and return to the upper level.

“He realizes that he can no longer play in all the tournaments as before. If you make a serious mistake at this stage of your career, at this age, it can have serious consequences. And Djokovic is aware of this,” he says Severyn Luthi.

This season, Djokovic played in the following events: Adelaide 1 (preparation for the Australian Open), Australian Open, Dubai, Monte Carlo, Banja Luka, Rome (preparation for Paris), Roland Garros, Wimbledon, Cincinnati and the US Open.

Of the ten tournaments, we are talking about four Grand Slams (big Nole bet at the end of a career) and three Masters categories (Monte Carlo, Rome and Cincinnati).

“Djokovic plans to end his career in a great way. In addition, he has the gift, like Roger in the past, of not playing many preparatory tournaments. He’s just at the highest level right away,” he added Furious.

US Open 2023 men’s quarterfinals schedule

Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs. Alexander Zverev (12)

Daniil Medvedev (3) vs Andriy Rublev (8)

Francis Tiafoe (10) vs. Ben Shelton

Taylor Fritz (9) vs Novak Djokovic (2)

Hierarchy of Grand Slam titles

1 Novak Djokovic 23

2 Rafael Nadal 22

3 Roger Federer 20.