Former seven-time Major winner Justine Henin dismissed claims that Novak Djokovic’s 2024 season was unsuccessful by simply highlighting that the Serb achieved his biggest goal for this year.
This season, the Serbian tennis star made his lone Grand Slam final at Wimbledon and lost it in straight sets to Carlos Alcaraz. For the record 24-time Slam champion, this was the first season since 2017 that he didn’t land a single Major.
But this was also the year in which Djokovic finally became an Olympic gold medalist. And by doing so, the 37-year-old completed his resume and now owns the all-time Slam record, has spent the most weeks at the world No. 1 spot, and also has a gold medal in his collection.
Novak Djokovic© Olympics/Instagram – Fair Use
For years, he openly spoke numerous times that winning the Olympics was the goal and dream that he absolutely wanted to accomplish and didn’t hide earlier this year that his biggest focus would be on the Summer Games.
However, some are still adamant that this season was far from the Serb’s standard and expectations, with some also arguing that he is no longer in Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s league.
Henin: Djokovic accomplished what he wanted…
“Of course his season was successful. He went and got the title he wanted, that was his ultimate goal. He went through a lot of phases this season, including certainly a phase of demotivation and then things to manage on a physical level too – but there was only one place where he wanted to shine. And the way he did it, I still can’t believe it. This ability, when he didn’t have a great season, when everyone was doubting him, to raise his level of play as he did and manage to be present again in a big event, it’s just phenomenal,” the former world No. 1 told Eurosport.
Recently, the Serb – who turns 38 next May – underlined to his critics that he is still not seriously thinking about retiring from pro tennis. Also, Djokovic noted that he would be gunning for more Grand Slams and success in 2025.