Five big predictions for the 2024 tennis season – from Novak Djokovic’s demise to Naomi Osaka’s revival

Kevin Palmer

The 2023 tennis season only came to an end a few weeks ago and already, a new campaign is about to get underway.

The United Cup in Australia will be complemented by the opening ATP and WTA Tour events of 2024 in the next few days, with the return of 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal one of the big stories to look out for in the opening weeks in Australia as he takes to the court at the ATP 250 event in Brisbane.

We can also look forward to the return of 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu and multiple major queen Naomi Osaka in the year of the comebacks.

There is so much for tennis fans to look forward to and here are our five big predictions for 2024:

FAREWELL TO RAFAEL NADAL

It seems a little negative to be waving farewell to Nadal before he has hit a ball in anger in his comeback bid, but he admits that is the likely scenario in 2024.

“There’s every chance that it’s going to be my last year and I’m going to enjoy the tournaments in that way,” said Nadal.

“I don’t want to announce it because in the end, I don’t know what can happen and I have to give myself the opportunity not to say one thing as then I’ll be a slave to what I said.

“I think it’s going to be like that but I can’t be 100 per cent sure because in the end I’ve worked a lot to come back to compete and if suddenly things and my physique allow me to continue and enjoy what I do, why am I going to set a deadline? It makes no sense.”

We don’t have long to have a first glimpse at Nadal on his final comeback effort, but this great champion would not be coming back unless he felt he could challenge for the biggest titles once again.

He won’t be ready to contend for the title at the Australian Open next month, but his dream will be to complete his French Open story with a 15th and final title at Roland Garros in June.

It may seem improbable after a year out with injury but writing off the all-time greats is a fool’s game.

READ MORE: Six top 50 players who failed to serve up a winning record in 2023 – from Andy Murray to Ben Shelton

EMMA RADUCANU TO GET BACK INTO THE TOP 50

Emma Raducanu is preparing to make her comeback to the WTA Tour and we should discover quickly how big a threat she will be.

After winning the 2021 US Open, Raducanu struggled to live up to her billing as a global sporting superstar, but she is coming back now with very different expectations around here.

She will always be a Grand Slam champion and that inspires opponents to raise their game against her, but Raducanu would be wise to enter lower-level tournaments and build her confidence ahead of what she hopes will be the peak of her year at Wimbledon and the US Open.

Where will Raducanu be ranked by the end of 2024?

Let’s be positive and predict a top 50 comeback story for Emma.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC’S DOMINANCE TO END

The headline here may inflame the fans of the world No 1, but it is merely a reality of what will inevitably come for Djokovic at some stage over the next couple of years.

His remarkable era of dominance showed no sign of waning over the course of 2023, but history tells us that even the greatest champions lose their aura eventually.

In a year that will see the 24-time Grand Slam champion toast his 37th birthday, Djokovic will know the management of his schedule will never be more significant.

He has stated his only focus now is peaking for the four Grand Slams, so don’t be surprised if he skips some ATP 1000 events and he may also opt against playing Davis Cup matches in a year when he has a focus on winning Olympic gold in Paris.

In what will be a hectic tennis year, Djokovic will need to keep winning at his current rate to hold onto his world No 1 ranking and that just may not be possible as injuries are likely to be a factor for him sooner rather than later.

JACK DRAPER TO BREAK THE TOP 20

If we are predicting Raducanu will finish in the top 50 of the WTA Tour, the expectations should be lifted to the next level for her fellow Brit Jack Draper.

This powerhouse performer showed flashes of inspiration around injury problems in 2023 and he is setting his sights high in the New Year.

“I have the target that I want to be in the top 20 by the end of the year,” he said last month. “That’s the goal. Other than that, it’s about working hard, staying fit and getting to more finals.”

Draper has proved he is a threat to the game’s top stars and now he needs to add wins to his record to back up his potential.

If he stays fit, there is every reason to believe this gifted 21-year-old can break into the top 20 and reach the second week of Grand Slam events for the first time.

NAOMI OSAKA TO WIN A MAJOR

Okay, this is a bold claim before we have even seen what kind of form the four-time Grand Slam champion is in as she makes her return to tennis following the birth of her first child.

Osaka’s comeback will be one of the stories of the year and she is coming back to the WTA Tour at a time when she should have the chance to make an impact.

Iga Swiatek is a world No 1 who confirmed she was vulnerable at times last year and the same is true of No 2 Aryna Sabalenka.

Like Nadal, winning the Australian Open next month may be a step too far for Osaka, but she can build momentum over the course of the season and without interruptions due to injury, she may be ready to win the US Open next September.

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