Is someone who is 36 years of age considered old?
Well, it depends on the context.
Is 36 considered old for the president of the United States? No. Not old. In fact, quite young. 36 is just one year over the age requirement to become president.
Is 36 considered old for someone who is just becoming a parent? Maybe. I’d guess most people who have children have their first child before they’re 36.
Is 36 considered old for a professional athlete? Yes. 36 is old for a professional athlete.
Yet, somehow, Novak Djokovic, who, if you couldn’t guess by now, is 36 years old, is proving time and time again that the age-old cliche “age is just a number” is true.
If you didn’t tune into ESPN during the last two weeks, allow me to fill you in on the incredible piece of history you missed unfolding at the U.S. Open in Flushing, New York.
Djokovic, a Belgrade, Serbia native, won his 24th Grand Slam title on Sunday, Sept. 10.
Again, that means nothing without context. So here it is:
Djokovic already held the record for most Grand Slam titles by a man — his previous record of 23 was one more than rival Rafael Nadal — but on Sunday, when he claimed his 24th, he tied Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam titles by any player ever.
Court, 81 (there’s no debating — that’s old), retired from tennis in 1977.
That’s ten years before Djokovic was born.
These types of players don’t come around often.
Of course, the aforementioned Nadal and women’s legend Serena Williams reached 22 and 23, respectively, but no one has been able to reach the coveted 24th title.
Until now.
Djokovic made history with his 24th Grand Slam on Sunday, and that may not even be the most impressive part.
Djokovic had to win seven matches in 14 days to win the title. That can’t be easy on an aging 36-year-old body.
It especially can’t be easy when the opponents’ bodies are much, much fresher.
Djokovic turned pro in 2003 when he was 16, and he’s played countless tennis matches since.
Meanwhile, here are the ages of the seven players he defeated en route to his record-tying 24th Grand Slam title:
26
26
28
25
25
20
27
This isn’t supposed to be happening.
Surely a younger player — even if he’s not quite as talented — can outlast Djokovic in a best-three-of-five-set match, right?
Wrong.
The U.S. Open is Djokovic’s third Grand Slam title in 2023 and his seventh in the past three years — more than any other three-year stretch in his career. He’s won seven of the past 12 Grand Slams, two of which he didn’t compete in.
One could argue Djokovic, at 36 years old, is in his prime.
We’ve seen older athletes continue to dominate their respective games before — see Tom Brady, LeBron James and Gordie Howe — but this is different.
Tennis is a one-man sport. There are no teammates to sub in when you get tired.
Djokovic is all on his own out there. Just him and his aging, 36-year-old body.
But is it aging? We might have to wait three, five, or who knows, maybe 10 years to find out.
So, is 36 considered old for a professional athlete? Yes, unless you’re Novak Djokovic.
