Lorenzo Musetti said it would be a big mistake to write off Novak Djokovic’s prospects of adding to his record 24 grand slam titles.

The 22-year-old Italian Musetti, nonetheless, reckoned compatriot and world No 1 Jannik Sinner had moved “one step ahead of everybody else”, during a supremely successful but controversial 2024.

Musetti enjoyed his own breakthrough campaign last year, when he reached three tour finals and the Wimbledon semi-finals, and claimed Olympic bronze. In both his Wimbledon and Olympic last-four matches, he was beaten by Djokovic, who also overcame Musetti in five sets at the French Open.

In 2024, Djokovic, 37, failed to win a grand slam in a calendar year for the first time since 2017. The Serb has dropped to world No 7 ahead of this month’s Australian Open, where he is a 10-time champion.

“Novak will always be [competing for grand slams], if his physical condition is stable,” Musetti told the Post.

“He is a danger for everybody – for Jannik, for Sasha [world No 2, Alex Zverev] and for [world No 3] Carlos Alcaraz. Last year, Jannik showed he was one step ahead of everyone else, he had such an incredible season.

“But Novak is always dangerous and he knows a little bit about how to play on those grand slam courts and in those conditions.”