For effervescent Novak Djokovic, age is just a number

The year is 2011 and 24-year-old Novak Djokovic was in the midst of compiling arguably the best ever season in men's tennis. The Serb went unbeaten until French Open semi-finals in June, but managed to win the three other slams on his way to amassing an incredible 70-6 season record.

Now, 12 years later, few would have picked a 36-year-old Djokovic to be reflecting on another season where he's checked off three more grand slams.

And 23-time grand slam winner is showing no signs of stopping…

"I think it's a mindset, really, age is just a number," Djokovic told Jon Wertheim in a wide-ranging interview with Sport Illustrated this week.

"It's a cliché, but it really is a psychological approach that you have to life, to age, to career and to anything. Fundamentally, I put a lot of effort into having a proper routine to prevent injuries and absence from the tour. I don't see any limit in terms of age. I've surpassed 35, now I have to be thinking about myself as an old guy? I actually don't think that way."

As imperious as Djokovic was in 2011, his calloused mind has only grown stronger as he's dealt with challenges on and off the court. What has been most impressive this year is his temperament in the big moments. Winning three grand slam finals in straight sets gives credence to his rock-solid mind.

"I think mentally, I'm stronger now than I was ten years ago," confirmed the father of two.

"I think I was slightly faster ten years ago. But I think I'm probably able to play smarter today. And I'm also able to cope with the pressure moments better than I did ten years ago.

"I think the 36 [year old Djokovic] would win [in a match against myself at 24]. Would be a tight match."

As has become part and parcel of Djokovic's character when speaking about legacy, he acknowledged that he would not have been anywhere near the player he is without competition from his legendary rivals Roger Federer and Rafal Nadal.

"There's always a huge amount of respect off the court because they have really defined me as the player that I am today," he continued.

"And all my success is also greatly owed to them and to the rivalries that we had. The rivalries that I had with them and the matches that I had with them have really helped shape me into the player I am.

"It has given me the ability to understand what my flaws are, what my disadvantages are compared to them when I match up with them. They forced me to really rise on that level."