5 top goals for Novak Djokovic in 2024
Novak Djokovic ended the 2023 season as the World No. 1, thereby reaching 400 weeks as the top player in the world. As he keeps extending his incomparable legacy by reaching newer heights every year, many have been left wondering where he's going to stop.
With not too many records left for the 36-year-old Serb to break, the 2024 season will present a few opportunities for him to achieve even more feats. There is still some unfinished business for the Serb as far as his career achievements are concerned.
Five biggest goals for Djokovic in 2024:
#1. Winning the Calendar Year Grand Slam
No male tennis player has achieved the feat of winning all four Grand Slams in a calendar year since Rod Laver in 1969, but Djokovic was a match away from doing it in 2021. And in 2023, he was pipped at the post by Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon; that was his only Slam loss for the year.
Djokovic's next goal would be to reach that incredible milestone in 2024, at the age of 37.
The Serb is the overwhelming favorite to win at least two of the four Grand Slams, Wimbledon and Australian Open. A potential comeback by Rafael Nadal might challenge him at the French Open, but the jury is still out on the 38-year-old Spaniard’s chances of being fully fit at his age.
Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner should also continue to pose a threat to Djokovic, but as he has proven in the past, he can overcome either of them on the highest stage.
#2. Winning a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title:
Djokovic has made it a habit of winning Wimbledon titles, and very few players can pose a serious challenge to him on grass at the moment. Should he be able to win the title at the All England Club, it will be his eighth Wimbledon title - as many as Roger Federer has won.
It is still debatable whether Djokovic is as good a player as Federer on grass, but his record at Wimbledon speaks volumes. Moreover, the Serb has beaten Federer thrice at Wimbledon, which is an incredible feat.
#3. Winning the Olympic gold
An Olympic gold medal has eluded the great Serb, although he did come close a couple of times. He would, therefore, want to set the record straight in 2024.
The next Olympic Games will be held in Paris, with the tennis competition taking place on the clay of Roland Garros. This might also be Nadal’s swansong, and the great Spaniard will want to finish on a high note on his favorite surface.
At the moment, one cannot rule out the chance of yet another Nadal-Djokovic clash on the red dirt of Paris. The likes of Alcaraz will also be there, but Djokovic will fancy his chances of winning the gold for Serbia and thereby fill that hole in his CV.
#4. Beating Rafael Nadal at French Open
Djokovic has been a distant second-best at the French Open, behind his closest rival. However, he has beaten Nadal twice in the tournament - a feat nobody else has achieved.
Nadal will want to finish on a high note in Paris by winning his 15th French Open title there. However, given the fact that the Spaniard is coming back from an injury, he might struggle to make a deep run and thereby potentially end up not facing Djokovic in the tournament.
#5. Winning a record-equalling fifth US Open title:
For all his exploits on hardcourts and his claim as the greatest player on that surface, Djokovic has four US Open titles, which pales in comparison to his 10 Australian Open ones. It remains to be seen whether the Serb can emulate Pete Sampras and Roger Federer’s feat of winning five titles each by winning there in 2024.
Daniil Medvedev and Alcaraz are likely going to be his closest competitors in New York. Fatigue might also be a factor, as the tournament will be held in August-September, with the end of the season approaching. However, as the great man has proved in the recent past, he has it in him to play well throughout the year even at this age.