Tim Henman made a wild prediction about Novak Djokovic in 2023 that looks increasingly unlikely to come to fruition.
Djokovic is widely described as tennis’ ‘GOAT’, but his fortunes in Grand Slams have tailed off since the arrival of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
The Serbian beat Roger Federer’s Wimbledon semi-finals record this year, but couldn’t claim his eighth crown at SW19.
Back at Wimbledon in 2023, pundit and former player Tim Henman made a bold prediction about Djokovic that will likely not happen now.
Tim Henman said Novak Djokovic would win 27 Grand Slams in 2023
Henman praised Djokovic in 2023 after he won his 23rd Grand Slam at Roland Garros and ahead of Wimbledon.
“I think he’s the greatest male player that’s ever played now that he’s gone ahead in the numbers game,” said the former British No. 1 in an interview with SPORTBible.
However, the former World No. 4 then stuck his neck out on the line with a prediction that is very unlikely to come true now.
“I think he’ll end up with 26 or 27 Slams, I really do,” said Henman about the 24-time Grand Slam champion. “I think he’s very motivated to be the tennis player with the most Grand Slam singles titles.”
Djokovic is currently level with Margaret Court for Grand Slam titles, with his last title coming at the 2023 US Open, but the idea of the Serbian getting two more in the era of Sinner and Alcaraz seems implausible at this stage.
Many believed Djokovic’s last time to win another Grand Slam was at Wimbledon, but the star crashed out to Sinner in the semi-finals.
However, the 38-year-old has teased continuing his tennis career until the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, so there is a chance.
Can Novak Djokovic win one more Grand Slam?
Djokovic has not appeared in a Grand Slam final since losing to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final back in 2024.
That doesn’t appear to have deterred the Serbian, however, and the star looks set to line up at the US Open this year.
Djokovic is still reaching the latter stages of Grand Slams, but Alcaraz and Sinner often prove too strong for the Serbian.
The star’s best chance looked to be at the Australian Open this year, when Djokovic defeated Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.
However, Djokovic’s body let him down, and he was forced to retire due to a muscle tear against Alexander Zverev in the semifinals.
At this stage in his career, it looks very unlikely he’ll win another Grand Slam against players at least a decade younger than him.