Ljubicic on Nadal and Djokovic: A heated tennis year expected in 2024 © Getty Images/Julian Finney
Ivan Ljubicicthe former coach of tennis legend Roger Federerlooks forward to the tennis year 2024 with great anticipation. He is particularly looking forward to the return of Rafael Nadal, which he hopes will “warm up” Novak Djokovic.
Ljubicic, who was once world No. 3 himself, describes Djokovic as “incredible” and finds it “remarkable” that the Serbian champion is still playing at the same high level today, ten years later.
During his time as coach of Federer’s great rival, the Swiss won three Grand Slam titles, giving Ljubicic a deep insight into the dynamics at the top of men’s tennis. Djokovic dominated the 2023 season by winning three of the four Grand Slam tournaments, the ATP Finals, two Masters 1000 tournaments and the Adelaide ATP 250.
Nadal ready for a comeback
Rafael Nadal, whose last Grand Slam title – and tournament victory at any level – came at the French Open in 2022, has not played since a hip injury he suffered in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open.
The 37-year-old Spaniard is ready for his comeback at the Brisbane International, an ATP 250 event taking place from December 31 to January 7, and is preparing for the 2024 Australian Open.
Djokovic as a benchmark in tennis
Djokovic, who beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets to win his 10th Australian Open title in 2023, and Nadal, who beat Daniil Medvedev in a five-set final in Melbourne in 2022, remain the players to beat.
Ljubicic highlights Djokovic’s statistical superiority and his status as the player to beat when it comes to the debate over the best tennis player of all time.
“I think the most successful is definitely Novak, at least on the male side.
He keeps winning, he doesn’t stop and I’m really curious and would love to see Rafa back in 2024 to give him a little pressure,” the Croatian said in an episode of the ATP Tennis Radio Podcast.
2023-12-30 18:07:02
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