Novak Djokovic is set to compete at the US Open following his Golden Slam win. GETTY IMAGES

Tim Henman may just put tennis fans’ minds at ease amid rumours that Novak Djokovic could retire now that he’s achieved the coveted Golden Slam. The Serbian won Olympic gold just weeks ago against current Wimbledon and French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz. 

Before his historic Paris Olympics win, Djokovic has openly admitted that he struggled to find motivation for much of 2024. The 37-year-old had some surprising defeats this year including a loss to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final who took the crown in just three sets.

Now that his dream of taking Olympic gold for his beloved Serbia has put him in the elite ranks of tennis players to achieve the Golden Slam —which includes Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Andre Agassi, and Steffi Graf, will his love for the game begin to wane?



Long-time world number-one Henman believes the opposite to be true. Henman told Tennis365 that the Olympic win frees up Djokovic from the pressure of securing yet another Gram Slam as he approaches the US Open. Now the tennis great will just be motivated by his passion for the game and could prove to be even more dangerous on the court. 

"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," Henman surmised.

Retired tennis pro, Tim Henman, says Novak Djokovic might become even more formidable now. GETTY IMAGES
Retired tennis pro, Tim Henman, says Novak Djokovic might become even more formidable now. GETTY IMAGES

Henman said Djokovic’s win against Alcaraz in the Paris 2024 final was one of his finest achievements, as he clinched his first title of the year in the event he wanted to win more than any other this year. Even more impressive is that he did so just months after knee surgery and under the immense pressure of his fifth, and most likely final, Olympic appearance. 

"To see what Novak did in Paris, I just think it was absolutely incredible. Specifically what he did in that final against Alcaraz was one of the greatest performances of his career," Henman told Tennis365.

"Pressure is all self-inflicted, but Djokovic spoke how much that gold medal meant to him and realistically, even by his amazing standards, that was his last chance at the age of 37. To beat Alcaraz, who was the French Open and Wimbledon champion was absolutely phenomenal," he concluded. Djokovic is set to take on his rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the final Grand Slam of 2024. The US Open begins 26 August.