Jannik Sinner has been by far the best player this year, reaching the top of the rankings, and winning two Grand Slams. And Novak Djokovic has now revealed that he always knew the Italian was destined for great things after they met when Sinner was still a teenager.

In a review of the 2024 ATP season, The Athletic ’s tennis team look back at Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz ’s remastering of men’s tennis; Novak Djokovic ’s best worst year; the rise of Taylor Fritz and the retirement of two legends.

Gigi Salmon, Tim Henman, Laura Robson and Jonathan Overend pick their big winners of 2024; watch all the action from the ATP and WTA Tours on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+ which is integrated into Sky TV,

Novak Djokovic is ready to challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the Grand Slam stage when he returns to action at the Australian Open after an underwhelming campaign this year, the 24-times champion said.

The 23-year-old could be banned from tennis for up to two years if the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upholds the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appeal into Sinner’s doping case. He tested positive for clostebol, a banned anabolic steroid on March 10 at the BNP Paribas Open held in Indian Wells, Calif, and on March 18, out of competition.