Tim Henman gives Novak Djokovic verdict as the Serb sends ‘a few messages’ to rivals

Novak Djokovic interacts with the crowd at the Australian Open

Tim Henman believes Novak Djokovic’s straight-set win over Tomas Martin Etcheverry at the 2024 Australian Open was a “statement victory.”

The former world No 4 thinks Djokovic sent “a few messages” to “the rest of the draw and the locker room” with a performance that showcased his “full repertoire.”

Djokovic saw off world No 30 Etcheverry 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(2) in the third round of the Australian Open and the Serbian rated his own display as his best of the tournament so far.

The 36-year-old is a 10-time champion in Australia and has not lost at the Melbourne major since 2018, having won it the last four times he has competed. He is looking to win a 25th men’s Grand Slam singles title to extend his lead in the major title race.

The world No 1 will face world No 19 Adrian Mannarino in the last 16, after the 35-year-old Frenchman won his third consecutive five-set match with a marathon win over 16th seed Ben Shelton.

Following Djokovic’s victory over the 24-year-old Argentine, Henman praised the tennis great’s performance and argued he had sent a warning to his rivals.

“Yeah that’s the freedom that a set and a break lead gives you and when you’re that confident and playing so well in these familiar surroundings…,” the six-time major semi-finalist began on Eurosport.

“The shots that he’s able to take on, they’re incredible shots but they look like they’re played with little risk. It doesn’t look like he’s gonna miss. And it’s just showing his full repertoire out there.

“First two rounds were a little bit of a struggle but then suddenly you get a statement victory against another seeded player, straight sets. I think there’s a few messages that have been sent to the rest of the draw and the locker room.”

In a post-match interview with Eurosport’s Barbara Schett, Djokovic assessed that his level against Etcheverry was an improvement on his first two matches in Melbourne.

“I really think that I played my best tennis so far in the tournament,” Djokovic told the former world No 7. “Obviously still finding my groove, but this was much better than the first two rounds.

“Etcheverry is in form, he won quite comfortably against two great players – Andy Murray and Gael Monfils – in straight sets, I watched him play.

“I do have a positive score with him but I obviously didn’t maybe play my best tennis coming into the match but tonight I found my rhythm and I’m really pleased with the performance.

“I always demand the highest of myself, so I can always play better. But I’ve also got to see things in a positive way, this is a higher level than it was in the first two rounds. I did wake up well today, I thought I’ve done everything I possibly can.

“[On the] practice court yesterday also we worked on a few things, so I’m really glad it is working out so far, let’s see in the next round.”