‘Novak Djokovic is clear Australian Open favourite and not slowing down soon’, says former star

Ewan West 25 Oct 2023 2:02 PM

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during a match

Two-time Major runner-up Mark Philippoussis has declared that Novak Djokovic is “without a doubt” the favourite to win the title at the 2024 Australian Open in January.

The Australian also asserted that he does not see Djokovic “slowing down soon”, while highlighting the role of the legendary Serb’s team in his success.

Djokovic claimed a record-extending 24th men’s Grand Slam title with his victory over Daniil Medvedev in the final of the 2023 US Open in September.

The 36-year-old has now won two more Majors than his big rival Rafael Nadal and four more than his other great contemporary Roger Federer, who retired last year.

The world No 1 triumphed at three of the four Grand Slam tournaments this year, having also secured the Australian Open and French Open crowns. He fell in five thrilling sets to young rival Carlos Alcaraz in the championship match at Wimbledon in July – his first loss in a completed match at the All England Club since 2016.

This is the fourth season of Djokovic’s career in which he has won three Major titles, having also achieved the feat during remarkable seasons in 2011, 2015 and 2021.

Djokovic is set to return to action at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Paris next week, having last competed at the Davis Cup group stage last month.

Philippoussis identified Djokovic as the clear favourite for next year’s edition of the Melbourne Grand Slam, an event the Serb has won an incredible 10 times – a men’s record.

“He’s without a doubt the favourite going into the Australian Open and I don’t see him slowing down soon,” said the 46-year-old in an interview, as quoted by Yahoo Sport Australia.

“Everyone he’s got, they stay in their lane and they know what they’re good at. He expects the best. He’s got one guy that he listens to for his eating and his fitness and his strengthening.

“Then he’s got his coach on the tennis court, he’s got the other people that do other stuff for him off the court. He just focuses on what he has to do on the practice court. You know he’s going to be dialled in.”

Philippoussis, an 11-time titlist on the ATP Tour, reached the final of the 1998 US Open, where he was defeated by countryman Pat Rafter in four sets. The Aussie was also a runner-up at Wimbledon in 2003, where he was beaten in straight sets by Federer as the Swiss legend claimed his maiden Major title.

The former world No 8 has spent spells coaching Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas both this season and during 2022. Philippoussis was in Tsitsipas’ box for his run to the final of the 2023 Australian Open, where he lost to Djokovic in straight sets.

Having suffered multiple injury setbacks in his career, Philippoussis played his final professional match in 2015 in the first qualifying round for the ATP event in Newport, losing to Eric Quigley.

The Australian’s biggest triumph came in 1999, when he defeated Carlos Moya in five sets to win the Indian Wells Masters.