Former World No. 4 Tim Henman believes Novak Djokovic will "feel no pressure" when he returns to action at the 2024 US Open after winning the Olympics.
The final Grand Slam of the season will kick off on August 26th, and Djokovic, who has withdrawn from two high-profile warm-up events in Montreal and Cincinnati, is expected to be there to push for a record 25th major title.
Throughout his long and distinguished career, Djokovic has won every significant tennis title, bar the Olympics. He was a bronze medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and failed to reach the podium in each of his last three participations.
But that changed at the Paris Olympics last month. Djokovic, with a surgically repaired knee and without a title in 2024, in the most challenging season of his career, defied the odds to claim the one title he desperately craved—an Olympic gold medal.
He defeated reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz in the final to become just the fifth player to complete the Golden Slam—the equivalent of winning each of the four Grand Slams and an Olympic gold medal.
The success has completed Djokovic's puzzle and put paid to the long-standing debate on who is the greatest tennis player of all time. However, some pundits have questioned whether the Serbian superstar will have the motivation to carry on and pursue even more titles and records.
However, former British No. 1 player Henman has a different perspective on Djokovic's recent historical success, and he opined that it would bring a sense of normalcy to his season.
"I just don’t think the way he works means he will think he has won the gold medal and that’s it. He still has an enormous passion for the game. He loves what he does and if anything, it might go the other way."
Henman also added that Djokovic would be in a better position to challenge his rivals, such as Alcaraz and World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, at the US Open because he doesn't have the baggage of pressure that seemed to have formed cobwebs around his season.
He referred to Djokovic's win in the gold medal match as "one of the greatest performances" of his career, given the magnitude of the moment. And the 11-time ATP titlist is convinced that the former World No. 1 can win more Grand Slams.
"Winning the Olympics might free him up. He might think he has ticked all the boxes and I am playing with the house’s money now. He might go out and feel no pressure as he looks to win another major at the US Open. That might be dangerous for the rest because he will play with freedom and while he is fit and healthy, I definitely think he has more major titles in him."
Djokovic has previously refuted claims that he can now retire and is even floating the idea of competing at the 2028 Olympic Games in LA. For now, his focus is on finishing the season on a high with the US Open and the indoor swing firmly on his mind.
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