Former World No. 1 shuns Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s twin Grand Slams, claims Novak Djokovic had ‘most significant result’ in 2024

The year 2024 has entered its third quarter and we have witnessed a string of tennis competitions including all four Grand Slam events. The Majors began with the Australian Open in January and ended with the US Open in September - both tournaments won by Italian Jannik Sinner.

Meanwhile, the other two Grand Slam events, French Open and Wimbledon, were won by Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz. However, what these two and other tennis superstars from around the world have not been able to achieve is the Olympic gold. The prestigious title was clinched by Serbia's Novak Djokovic in Paris.

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When Sinner withdrew from the quadrennial event due to illness, Alcaraz finished as runner-up. Although both have been remarkable so far in the 2024 season, former World No. 1 Paul McNamee believes Djokovic winning the Olympic gold medal is “the most significant result” of the year.

“Great years for Alcaraz and Sinner… two Slams each. Yet, interestingly, the most significant result in terms of tennis history was Djokovic winning the gold medal,” the Australian wrote,” McNamee said.

“So in 2024 the new ‘Big Three’ emerged as we predicted, and went and locked everyone out. Comprehensively,” he added.

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McNamee says Djokovic may retire if he doesn’t win a Grand Slam next year

Paul McNamee, who won two singles and twenty-three doubles titles, is expecting Djokovic to win the upcoming Australian Open. He also noted that if the 37-year-old fails to win a Grand Slam title next year, he may retire from the sport.

“I would say that Novak is still the favourite in Australia to win his 11th title. I think Novak is No. 1 in Melbourne,” McNamee told Sport Klub.

“Here, Alexei Popyrin played brilliantly, but it is clear how much winning the gold drained Novak. Apart from Australia, I think he is also the favourite at Wimbledon. If he doesn’t win a Slam next year, that question [of retirement] will be asked,