Expert Prediction: Former British No 1 Names Top Challenger to Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic ended the year with two defeats against Jannik Sinner in quick succession, and now Laura Robson believes the Italian will challenge the world No 1 heading into 2024.

Djokovic was beaten by Italian youngster Sinner in the group stages of the ATP Finals in Turin.

He quickly gained revenge over Sinner by handing him a comprehensive beating in the final of that event a few days later, confirming his status as the undisputed king of tennis.

Yet Sinner came back from three match points down to beat Djokovic at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga and went on to beat the Serbian as he led Italy to their first Davis Cup win since 1976.

Now former British No 1 Robson has backed Sinner to make a huge mark in the game next year, believing the 22-year-old is ready to move to the next level and challenge for a fist Grand Slam title. She also picked out Britain’s Jack Draper as a player to watch next year.

“I’m just so excited about Sinner,” Robson told Sky Sports. “I just love his game, and I think with the wins that he had at the ATP Finals and the confidence he is getting by reaching these finals, I feel like 2024 is going to be huge for him and I don’t feel like I’m the only one who thinks like that.”

“It’s an obvious opinion amongst everyone in tennis because he’s grown so much over the last two years already, but then you’ve got Britain’s Jack Draper, who we hope will stay injury free and have a huge, huge season,” she added.

Despite her positive words for Sinner, Robson believes Djokovic will extend his lead in the Grand Slam title race in 2024.

Robson is also impressed by the progress of 14-year-old British player Hannah Klugman, who reached the quarter-finals of the US Open junior event and is tipped to make a big breakthrough in the game.

“I thought that was a really cool thing that Sky did over the US Open because I got to commentate on Hannah’s match and usually I wouldn’t see any of her matches televised or anything and it was really fun for her to come into the studio and have that experience of chatting to Gigi and everyone,” Robson stated.

“I’m always glass half-full when it comes to British tennis but the hope is to watch players come through, although some people have very quick transitions through the junior level while others take longer,” she added.

Robson will be a member of the Sky Sports team as the broadcaster returns to tennis in 2024 with exclusive rights to screen the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open.