TIM HENMAN TIPS ‘STAGGERING’ NOVAK DJOKOVIC FOR HUGE 2024 AHEAD OF AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Tim Henman expects Novak Djokovic to continue his relentless domination of men’s tennis in 2024 and said it would be foolish to “write off” the Serbian’s chances of completing the calendar Grand Slam and adding an Olympic gold medal to his roll of honour. Djokovic goes for a record-extending 11th Australian Open from January 14-28 next year, with the action live on Eurosport and discovery+.

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.

The Serbian won three of four Grand Slams to catch and pass Rafael Nadal’s haul in tennis’ marquee events, while he also triumphed at the year-end ATP World Tour Finals in Turin.

The only blotch on an otherwise flawless year was a five-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final and a semi-final defeat in the Davis Cup against Italy.

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.

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.”