SUPER NOVA!
Djokovic now soaring to new Slam heights says Henman
TIM HENMAN is convinced that Novak Djokovic has what it takes to become the greatest Grand Slam player of all time.
History will be in Djokovic’s grasp today, when he takes on the Italian Matteo Berrettini on Centre Court in the Wimbledon men’s final, with his target a 20th Grand Slam – to equal the records set by his great rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
But former British No.1 and four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Henman reckons there is nothing to stop Djokovic from ultimately overtaking the great Australian Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam wins.
Serena Williams has won 23, the last of them in 2017 – but in 13 attempts since, including four losing finals, she has not managed to crack the Court record.
Henman says Berrettini’s best chance of upsetting Djokovic today is to get the Centre Court crowd on his side as the underdog – and get the great Serb rattled again.
Henman said: “Who do I think will be the best ever? Djokovic – certainly the best male player.
“It’s staggering. You look at the way Novak is playing, his intensity, consistency – I really think the feat of all four majors is on this year. I think he will be the male player with the most Grand Slams. And therefore he will go down as the greatest male player of all time.
“But looking at that fitness, motivation, hunger and desire, I definitely see him challenging Serena Williams and then Margaret Court in terms of the total number of singles Grand Slam titles won.
“When Pete Sampras retired, I was playing in that era, and the record got to 14 titles. I would have bet my bottom dollar nobody would get to that in the next 15-20 years. To have three of them now at this level, with 59 between them, that is staggering.”
Djokovic has already won the Australian and French Opens, and with the Olympics also a target this year, the ‘Golden Slam,’ a win in all four major opens plus earning a gold medal, only previously achieved by Steffi Graf in 1988, is a live possibility.
But Henman warned: “The element of vulnerability for Djokovic is when he feels the crowd is against him. Djokovic has to get distracted.”
Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash believes that Berrettini has a real chance of causing a shock. “If anyone can beat Novak, Berrettini’s got the opportunity,” Cash said.
“He’s got the game to do it. I don’t think he’s going to be fazed by being in the final.”
Djokovic said: “Matteo is one of the best players in the world in the last 12 months. If he serves big, it’s tough to break his serve. But I believe in my return.”