Top commentator predicts how many Grand Slams Novak Djokovic will win in 2024
Robbie Koenig has said there is “no chance” he will write off Novak Djokovic and backed the Serbian to win “at least two” of the remaining three Grand Slam titles in 2024.
The renowned tennis commentator and former ATP player highlighted what Djokovic achieved last year and feels the 36-year-old will be “extremely tough to beat” at Wimbledon.
Djokovic was beaten by world No 4 and eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the 2024 Australian Open last month. The 10-time Australian Open champion had not lost at the event since 2018 and was on a 33-match winning streak at the Melbourne major heading into the last four clash.
In 2023, Djokovic had one of the finest seasons of his remarkable career. The 36-year-old won the Australian Open, the French Open, the US Open and the ATP Finals – four of the five biggest tournaments in tennis – and was also a finalist at Wimbledon.
During an episode of Tennis Channel’s Inside-In podcast, Koenig assessed that Djokovic did not find his best level at any point during his Australian Open run.
“I’m not sure he was playing that well the whole tournament, let alone just that match. I mean against Dino Prizmic in the first round, four hours and 10 minutes I think it was against the young 18-year-old,” the South African said.
“He (Prizmic) gave him a good nudge, no question about that. He’s a good player, but even then, a lot of us were like, ‘wow, that’s unusual for a first round match.’ I just don’t think he looked dialled in.
“The backhand in particular, the backhand was shocking against Sinner, how many he missed, routine backhands. The serve wasn’t its usual self, the accuracy. He said he was trying to shake off a bit of flu early on in the tournament. So all those things affect you.
“I can’t think of a match where he played and we were thinking, ‘Wow, Novak is back now, he’s back to playing his best. It’s the second week of a major.’ No.
“I think we were all shocked when he loses the first two sets the way he does [against Sinner]. I mean, the fact that he still got to the semis of a major and he’s put himself in contention and you almost feel like he’s playing at a, like a 6.8. That’s scary for how well you still have to play in order to beat him.”
Koenig, a former world No 28 and five-time ATP titlist in doubles, also looked ahead to Djokovic’s prospects at the majors for the remainder of the year.
“I’m not going to write that guy off, no chance. I mean, the guy won four of the five biggest tournaments last year. Three majors, plus the ATP Finals. He did pretty well at Wimbledon, right? Should have won that too,” Koenig continued.
“It’ll be fascinating in hindsight, but I tell you what, that guy’s so motivated. Who’s gonna beat him on a grass court? Sinner’s gonna have to play pretty well on the grass to beat him. Alcaraz is gonna have to play lights out again, like he did in the final, and he still should have lost that final.
“So I think he’s gonna be extremely tough to beat at Wimbledon. US Open, he’s gonna be in the mix again. And the French, Nadal? So many questions about Rafa. I’m picking Novak for at least two majors this year and there’s only three left (laughs).”
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