Novak Djokovic gets major backing from John McEnroe after Jannik Sinner’s French Open defeat: 'His level is...'

Tennis legend John McEnroe was full of praise for the 39-year-old Novak Djokovic's fitness after Jannik Sinner was eliminated from the French Open on Thursday. The tournament favourite Sinner lost 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 1-6, 1-6 in the second round match with 56th-ranked Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

The 24-year-old Sinner was struggling with his fitness in the Paris heat as he ran out of gas, losing from 6-3, 6-2, 5-1 advantageous position. After the defeat, Sinner rued the lack of recovery and the tight schedule.

John McEnroe praises Djokovic's 'level'

Amid Sinner's exit, US tennis great McEnroe has praised Djokovic for his relentless performance and intensity at such a senior age, especially when he hardly plays any tournaments between Grand Slams nowadays.

Speaking on TNT Sports, McEnroe said: “I think Djokovic's level is pretty high,” said the seven-time major singles champion.

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“Explain to me how this guy does it when he doesn’t play at all between majors? He comes out and it’s as if he didn’t miss a beat.

“I know he doesn’t care much about the other tournaments anymore, but it feels like you have to play some of them, but for him, he doesn’t have to. He’s defying time.”

McEnroe also picked Djokovic as the favourite to win the third round match against 19-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca.

“I’m picking Djokovic to win, but I think that’s one of the biggest moments of Fonseca’s career so far and will open him up,” said McEnroe.

“He has so much expectation and it’s such a great result for him. This is big for him.”