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After arguably the best season of his record-breaking career in 2023, Tim Henman has backed Novak Djokovic to continue his domination of men’s tennis next year.
Djokovic described 2023 as “one of the best” seasons he’s had in the sport and Henman sees no reason why the ageless Serbian can’t maintain his position at the pinnacle of the men’s game.
Ex-world No. 4 Henman, speaking to Eurosport, said: “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.
“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.”
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For most of his career, Djokovic was chasing Roger Federer and Nadal in terms of titles. But he now stands alone atop the all-time list of male Grand Slam champions and is the last member of the ‘Big Three’ still able to compete at the highest level.
And Henman thinks being out of the shadow of arguably the two biggest stars in the sport’s history has allowed him to relax and shine even brighter.
“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.”
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In the short term, all roads now lead to the Australian Open. The Rod Laver Arena has been the happiest of hunting grounds for Djokovic, who has lifted the trophy a record 10 times.
With the next generation, led by Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, hot on the heels of the Serbian, and the impending return of Nadal, the 2024 edition of the season-opening Grand Slam promises to be one of the events of the year.
But following his 2023 exploits when some were starting to doubt him, and in light of his expertise in Melbourne, Henman thinks it’s hard to look past the indomitable Djokovic roaring to another victory.
“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.”
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