World number three tennis player Daniil Medvedev believes that anything can change in 2024, except that Novak Djokovic is still at his peak.

“The only thing we are sure of is that Djokovic is still at the top,” Medvedev told The National on December 24. “I may fall out of the top 10 in the world, but Djokovic will always be there. So, I hope to maintain my position in the top 4 and compete with the other three, whoever they are.”

Medvedev (right) hugs and congratulates Djokovic after the US Open final in September in New York. Photo: Reuters

Medvedev fell out of the top 10 in early 2023, but returned strongly with five titles during the season. He won 66 matches in 2023, the most on the ATP Tour. The Russian tennis player ended the best year of his career as world number three. However, Medvedev still has some regrets about not winning the Grand Slam – something world number one tennis player Djokovic did three times in 2023.

Sharing the same opinion as Medvedev, former world number four tennis player Tim Henman believes that Djokovic is likely to continue to dominate tennis in 2024: “Djokovic deserves trust, not only because of his playing style and superior movement ability. redundant at the age of 36, but also because of the desire and motivation to conquer big titles.

Henman also said that Djokovic is playing with freedom and ease in mind, after years of having to chase Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. At this time, Nole leads with 24 Grand Slams, two and four more titles than Nadal and Federer, respectively. “He overcame it all,” Henman added. “His current position has been his dream for a long time. After breaking records, he plays better than ever”.

After praising Djokovic, Medvedev also explained that other players have erratic performance, mainly due to the long ATP season. “Based on the scores, we were different at some points and especially at the end of the season,” Medvedev added. “Each season is different and anything can happen. For example, Tsitsipas, who reached the final of the Australian Open at the beginning of the year but declined in the rest for many reasons. Next year, he can return. come back and defeat anyone”.

Medvedev also believes that he can make a breakthrough next year. “I’m getting older, I’m not 23 anymore and I want to do more things,” the Russian tennis player confided. “In the past two years I have improved a lot and I want to continue to see where my limits are”.