Novak Djokovic is still number one in the world; he is still the favorite to win Grand Slam titles this year” – Nicolas Massu

Former World No. 9 Nicolas Massu remains optimistic about Novak Djokovic’s chances to secure Grand Slam victories in 2024, even after the Serbian’s early exit from the Australian Open. Djokovic, a four-time defending champion, fell to eventual winner Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, hindering his pursuit of a historic 25th Grand Slam title and an 11th title in Melbourne.

This defeat marked Djokovic’s second loss to a younger player at a Grand Slam within a year, with Carlos Alcaraz denying him the Wimbledon trophy in 2023. Questions arose about whether Djokovic’s long-standing dominance in tennis was on the decline. However, Nicolas Massu, a former player and two-time Olympic gold medalist, expressed confidence in Djokovic’s ability to rebound.

Massu highlighted Djokovic’s superior physical fitness and referenced his remarkable 2023 Grand Slam performance, where he reached all four finals and clinched three titles – the Australian Open, the French Open, and the US Open. Despite Djokovic’s recent setback, Massu firmly stated, “Novak is still number one in the world; he is still the favorite to win the Grand Slam titles this year.”

Emphasizing Djokovic’s remarkable longevity, Massu recalled their meeting in the 2006 Dutch Open final, where Djokovic secured his first title against the Chilean. “I respect Novak a lot and have known him for a long time. I remember that he won his first title against me, in Amersfoort in 2006, and here he is still at the top. I’m sure he can still win Slams,” Massu reiterated.

Acknowledging the rising competitiveness among current players, Massu recognized that other contenders had strong chances but maintained that Djokovic remains a formidable force. “The other guys, you know the ones I mean, have great chances, they are among the favorites for the Slams, but the same goes for Novak. It will be an interesting year, I’m sure of that,” he said.

Despite Djokovic’s recent challenges, Massu’s confidence in the Serb’s capabilities suggests that the tennis world can expect a compelling and competitive Grand Slam season in 2024.