Novak Djokovic on the brink of groundbreaking campaign says top pundit

James Richardson 23 Dec 2023 7:18 PM

Novak Djokovic with Australian Open trophy

Novak Djokovic celebrates at the Australian Open.

Former British No 1 Tim Henman believes that Novak Djokovic will find a way to take his game to new heights in 2024.

The season that is now looming large is set to be the biggest in some time, with the quest for Olympic gold thrown into the mix.

It makes it that much more captivating that Rafael Nadal will return and that the Paris 2024 Games will see the tennis competition play out at Roland Garros.

Henman feels that Djokovic is peaking at the right time to perhaps dominate a campaign in a way no male player has for some time.

“I actually interviewed him after the final in Turin and I said to him, ‘Look, you’re 36 years of age and to me it seems you’re playing better than ever. What does it feel like to you?’ And he very much agreed that he felt that this was the best tennis he’s ever played,” Henman told Eurosport.

“And I think that is just absolutely staggering. I think he deserves so much credit in so many areas, not only being able to perform and move at his age when it’s surely not getting any easier, but still to have the hunger and desire and motivation to keep winning.

“So in 2024, for sure, Djokovic is the player to beat. I think he’s the favourite at the start of the year and I still think he will dominate.”

Henman believes that Djokovic is moving into a new phase of his career after moving clear of his big three rivals.

“Not only the events he won, but the way he played was just absolutely incredible. And I do feel mentally it looks like he’s playing with a lot of freedom,” Henman added.

“I think for such a long time he’s been chasing Federer and Nadal and all those different records: the number of Grand Slam wins or finishing the year No. 1 or weeks at No. 1… and now he’s overtaken them.

“I think this is the position that he’s desired for so long. He’s achieved it and he’s playing better than ever.”

Henman insists that Djokovic will prove anyone who thinks he is starting to dip woefully wrong.

“It’s just such an exciting way to start the year on the back of what happened in 2023. And I think there have been so many great stories, very much led by Novak Djokovic,” Henman continued.

“I would say of the five biggest titles, the four slams and the Tour Finals in Turin, he won four of those events. And the other one at Wimbledon, he obviously lost 6-4 in the fifth to Alcaraz.

“I think at that stage in July at Wimbledon when Alcaraz won, that was the type of match that Djokovic has won on so many occasions before, and suddenly Alcaraz beat him in a major final and people were saying, ‘Well, perhaps this is the changing of the guard’.

“In my opinion, it couldn’t have been further from the truth. The way that Djokovic then played for the rest of the year was absolutely incredible.

“Djokovic’s speed, his balance, his ball-striking, how hard he was hitting the ball, changing direction and not missing.

“So, 2024, Australian Open in the men’s, in my mind, there’s no doubt that Djokovic is the favourite. He’s the man to beat.”