{"id":402946,"date":"2026-02-01T22:12:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T22:12:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/402946\/"},"modified":"2026-02-01T22:12:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T22:12:08","slug":"tim-henman-makes-feelings-clear-on-novak-djokovic-retirement-after-carlos-alcaraz-wins-australian-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/402946\/","title":{"rendered":"Tim Henman makes feelings clear on Novak Djokovic retirement after Carlos Alcaraz wins Australian Open"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tim Henman believes Novak Djokovic won’t retire just yet, despite the Serb losing to Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s Australian Open final at the Rod Laver Arena.<\/p>\n

Alcaraz became the youngest male player in tennis history to achieve the career Grand Slam, winning 2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5 to etch his name into the history books.<\/p>\n

Djokovic, speaking on court afterwards, was coy on his future.<\/p>\n

The 38-year-old suggested he was undecided over returning to Meloburne, where he’s won 10 of his 24 Grand Slam titles.<\/p>\n

But Henman, speaking on TNT Sports, doesn’t believe the tennis icon will hang up his racket just yet.<\/p>\n

The former British No 1 expressed a belief that Djokovic’s pulsating victory over Jannik Sinner in Friday’s semi-final will give the veteran the confidence to keep playing on, for the time being at least.<\/p>\n

“It did take Djokovic a few matches to feel good on the court, however I think he\u2019s one of the very few in tennis that just doesn’t need those extra tournaments,” he said.<\/p>\n

This is what it means \ud83e\udd79#coachcam<\/a> #NEXO<\/a> @Nexo<\/a> @wwos<\/a> \u2022 @espn<\/a> \u2022 @tntsports<\/a> \u2022 @wowowtennis<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/2z0YF108W8<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 1, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

“Yes, he\u2019ll play a few, it\u2019s not like he can suddenly turn up at the French Open and be match fit, but once he plays a few to be competitive, Roland Garros and Wimbledon is always a busy time of year and he can absolutely come through the early rounds and play his way into fitness and form.<\/p>\n

“There are less players that play well on grass, so your pool of winners is even fewer at Wimbledon, and he is absolutely in that mix.<\/p>\n

“He\u2019s always believed in himself, but I think having beaten Sinner and got to another Grand Slam final, this will have just emphasised that he still has opportunities.”<\/p>\n

\"NovakNovak Djokovic was outgunned by Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s Australian Open final | GETTY<\/p>\n

Jamie Murray has also addressed Djokovic’s future in the sport.<\/p>\n

He believes Djokovic will target Grand Slam glory at Wimbledon, with the Serb just one title away from Roger Federer’s total of eight in London.<\/p>\n

Murray said: “Wimbledon I would probably have said at the start of the season was Novak\u2019s best chance for a 25th Grand Slam. <\/p>\n

“I\u2019m sure he’ll be disappointed not to get over the line here, especially after his heroic effort in beating Sinner and getting so close, but he obviously knows he isn\u2019t going to be around forever. His level is slowly declining.<\/p>\n

“I don\u2019t care if he only played 10 hours tennis, he still had to beat Sinner and then he still had to get past Alcaraz, and that\u2019s going to be the ultimate challenge for so many of these players over the next four or five years at least, if they want to win a Slam.<\/p>\n

“Novak, unfortunately for him, couldn\u2019t do it. But Wimbledon, he\u2019ll be there and he’ll have another crack at it.”<\/p>\n

\"CarlosCarlos Alcaraz stands in a league of his own following his Australian Open win over Novak Djokovic | GETTY<\/p>\n

While it was a disappointing day for Djokovic, it was a memorable one for Alcaraz.<\/p>\n

He now has seven Grand Slam titles, having previously triumphed at Wimbledon, the US Open and French Open.<\/p>\n

Henman hailed Alcaraz by saying: “He’s a performer isn\u2019t he? He\u2019s out on stage and he wants to show off his skillset, and he has so many different types of skills.<\/p>\n

“Whether it\u2019s his power and explosiveness from the back of the court, the way he can hit that drop shot, he can finish points to the net with volleys, and then his athletic ability.<\/p>\n

“Add to that his winning these big titles. It\u2019s fitting Rafa Nadal was in the crowd.<\/p>\n

“Now, in the men’s game with Alcaraz and Sinner leading the charge, it\u2019s exciting times.”<\/p>\n