Five Reasons Why Novak Djokovic Is The Man To Beat At 2024 Australian Open

Novak Djokovic has won the Australian Open a record ten times, and it doesn't look like he is ready to stop from adding to his titles collection.

The Serbian superstar is returning to Melbourne to defend his crown in a city where he has not lost a match since 2018. The odds are very much in Djokovic's favor, and he's rarely stumbled in such positions of authority.

Djokovic will have the chance to break a two-player tie for the most Grand Slams in tennis history (a record he shares with Australian tennis great Margaret Court) by winning a mind-boggling 11th Australian Open title. And here are five reasons why he is the man to beat Down Under.

5. Ultimate Grand Slam Record Holder

With 24 Grand Slams to his name, no man can take the acclaim as the record holder except for Novak Djokovic. With his trademark consistency of rising to high-stakes occasions, Djokovic's lust to take the Grand Slam record by himself makes him a sizable favorite to win in Melbourne in 2024.

4. 10-0 In Australian Open Finals

Few sporting feats are as impressive as Novak Djokovic's ten Australian Open titles. He is one of only two men to win a singles major title in double figures. The remarkable thing about his record at the Australian Open is that he has never lost a final there. If he reaches the final Sunday again, then it will begin to look like a sprint to the finish line.

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3. Evolved And Adapted

In his 15-year dominance at the Australian Open, Djokovic has evolved from an overconfident 20-year-old to a tennis stalwart. In that timespan, he withstood the challenge from the golden standard of men's tennis, beating Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on his hallowed court.

His performances against Federer in the 2016 semifinal and Nadal in the 2019 final demonstrate the aura of invincibility he has carved in this part of the globe.

Djokovic has also learned to adapt to every oscillating wave of new stars in the past four years, including Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. So if Carlos Alcaraz & Co. wants to wrestle his hands from the Australian Open trophy, the Serb will be expected to transform.

2. Unquenched Desire To Stay On Top

Djokovic turns 37 in May 2024, but he's not giving any hints that he is ready to step away from the limelight. Although his parents believe he should have retired years ago, Djokovic's motivation remains undiluted, and he is giving himself ample preparation for next year's Australian Open by playing at the United Cup.

1. Mentality Monster

Many aspiring tennis players are tailoring their games to match Novak Djokovic's. But one of his character traits is unlikely to be copied. And that is his mentality.

Physique and power can win you points and games, but mental strength wins matches and titles. And this is a tennis truism because Djokovic has been a case in point.

The Serb has repeatedly fought back from the brink of defeat. Even pundits have lavished praise regarding Djokovic's mental strength, believing he's been a step or two ahead of his rivals owing to his superior mental strength.

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