"It's very ominous for the other players": Tim Henman and John McEnroe laud relaxed nature of Novak Djokovic ahead of semi-finals

Wednesday, 24 January 2024 at 00:30

Tim Henman and John McEnroe analyzed Novak Djokovic's form shortly before the 2024 Australian Open semifinal against Jannik Sinner. The Eurosport experts highlighted 'Nole's' ability to stay relaxed throughout the tournament and anticipated that it would be a concern for the Italian.

Former world No. 4 Henman was pleasantly impressed by the 24-times Grand Slam champion, who once again delivered a standout performance against Taylor Fritz, securing a 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory: “His form is great. No-one would be surprised if he goes on and wins the title again,” Henman said. “That was a battle,” he added

Henman expresses his concerns

Henman commented that Djokovic's tremendous level is not the only concern for his rivals, as the Serbian appears relaxed and confident: "It’s very ominous for the other players [how relaxed he is]; how he’s looking so contented with where he’s at," he said.

As Djokovic has demonstrated throughout his career, especially in recent years, he seems almost unbeatable in five-set matches. However, Fritz was not an easy opponent: “He’ll be relieved to get through the match. I don’t know why we’re surprised, we’ve seen him play this type of tennis so often in Melbourne. He finds a way to get the job done,” Henman added.

“He can’t relax in that second set and just lose it if he loses the first set. That’s why we realised how important that was for both players, but especially Fritz, to have those set points [in the first set] and not take them.

“It just gives Djokovic the breathing room, and from Fritz’s point of view, he’s played an hour and 25 minutes for that first set and got nothing out of it. He’s like, ‘Wow, I’ve still got to win three of the next four’. So it’s a mountain to climb at all times.”

McEnroe praised Djokovic

The 7-times Grand Slam champion first commented that Djokovic had a poor start to the match but gradually raised his level: “I have to hand it to Novak because he started serving terribly,” McEnroe said after the match.

“His percentage was like 20%. By the end of the match, he had more aces and was a higher percentage than Fritz, who I don’t think served that badly,” he added.

“At one stage he was zero for 15 on break points and it still felt like he was putting all kinds of pressure on Fritz, who did a lot of good things. He played really well; tried a lot of different things. He tried the drop shot, he tried to come in more….you name it. It didn’t work, because Djokovic has got everything now. Absolutely everything; he can do anything now,” claimed McEnroe.

“It’s amazing to watch; to see this guy at 36 years old want it this much, to have the hunger to do what it takes. I thought I knew what it took to play at a high level. This is a crazy level. It’s insane,” former world No. 1 added.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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