US Open runner-up in 1997 Greg Rusedski cautions that 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic just cannot be written off or taken for granted, even though he thinks Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz will undoubtedly be the rivalry of the future.
The 2024 season has delivered something different after Djokovic’s dominance in 2023. The 37-year-old Serb didn’t win any titles in the first half of the season before suffering a knee injury. Sinner, on the other hand, has excelled greatly this year after winning the Australian Open to claim the Grand Slam title. Despite some early-season struggles, Alcaraz won his first French Open championship this year and successfully defended his Indian Wells Masters title in March.
Djokovic, who tore his meniscus in his knee and underwent surgery in Paris, is currently ranked third. Some were calling out for Djokovic’s retirement even before the 37-year-old sustained a knee injury. Many are curious about Djokovic’s appearance and whether he can regain his previous level of play now that he is recovering from knee surgery.
Rusedski stated his remarks about Djokovic and said: “I think it’s [Sinner vs. Alcaraz] going to be a rivalry for the future. They’re one and two in the world—Sinner’s No. 1—but don’t discount Novak Djokovic. I had one myself this year and I’m older, so it took me a while to get over it, but he might be back in time for the Olympics and I hear he’s super hungry; he wants to play for a few more years.”
He added: “Don’t discount Novak; let’s not forget that last year he won three of the four majors and was in the final of Wimbledon. I know a lot of people have been saying he’s slowing down, this and that. He’s human and I think he’s going to be back with vengeance, so don’t discount him.”
Novak Djokovic in 2024
Currently the world no.3, Novak played his last match on the 3rd of June when he beat world no.26 Francisco Cerundolo 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 in the 4th round of the French Open (draw).
Currently, during this year Novak achieved a compiled 18-6 match record. Novak Djokovic’s best achievement of this year was getting to the semifinal at the Australian Open, Monte Carlo and Geneva.
Djokovic is scheduled to play next at the Wimbledon (Wimbledon). He will start from the main draw that will commence on the 1st of July.