Ahead of Novak Djokovic’s return to action later today, Tim Henman has been looking back on the Serbian’s Australian Open performance.
After all, despite reaching the final, it almost feels like people are underappreciating the scale of what the former world number one achieved in Melbourne.
Not only did he dethrone the two-time defending champion, Jannik Sinner, in the semi-finals, but he also snagged the first set in the final against Carlos Alcaraz.
Even if he did go on to lose, Novak Djokovic deserves so much credit. Henman has now sought to offer it.
Tim Henman reviews Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open performance
Speaking to Tennis365, the British pundit began by speaking about Djokovic’s performance at the Australian Open in general, as well as his win over Sinner.
He noted: “In the first three rounds, I definitely have my doubts about Djokovic. He wasn’t at the right level. Then he is two sets to nil down against Musetti, and you think, he’s going home for sure.
Novak Djokovic would be the undisputed GOAT if he won Grand Slam number 25 – could anyone argue otherwise?
“What was so amazing against Sinner was that he lost the first three games and he was completely off the pace. I was sitting in the commentary box thinking, this could be embarrassing. I really felt that he could get taken to the cleaners because his level wasn’t there, but so many people have said in the past, you never write off these great champions, and that match was a perfect example.
“The way that he then changed his tactics, second, third, fourth sets and became so aggressive, going down the line and not missing, it was absolutely incredible.
“You know, I was finding it hard to believe what I was watching. I really was. And I’ve watched him for 20 plus years. It was an amazing performance.”
Then, touching on the final, which Alcaraz won, Henman pointed out the difference between the Spaniard and his generational rival: “When he won the first set 6-2 against Alcaraz, you’re thinking, ‘wow, this could be Grand Slam No 25’, but the difference between Alcaraz and Sinner, I think, was very evident.
“Sinner, you know, didn’t change his game plan because he has been the best hard-court player for the last couple of years, and he tried to fight fire with fire. He was just going for it. And if anything, that played into Djokovic’s hands.
“Whereas you saw Alcaraz, who’s got the far greater variation, start to play with shape, start to just extend some of the rallies, use the slice backhand. And that was a big turning point.”
Djokovic will play doubles at Indian Wells this week, as he seeks a sixth singles title in the California desert.
Novak Djokovic proved he can still win a Grand Slam title
If we learnt anything from Djokovic’s campaign in Melbourne, it’s that he is quite comfortably still the third-best player in the world.
And, if people thought his days competing with Alcaraz and Sinner were over, they were severely mistaken.
The way in which the 38-year-old legend dismantled the Italian across a five-set epic was extraordinary, showcasing not only his physical excellence, but also his technical and tactical superiority too.
Can Carlos Alcaraz win MORE Grand Slams than Novak Djokovic? 🤔
Had it not been for that gruelling clash, Alcaraz could have suffered a similar fate in the final.
To discount any of the greats is foolish, but Djokovic in particular has revelled when ruled out. His performances at the Australian Open have proven to everyone, and maybe even himself, that a 25th major title is not outside the realm of possibility.
