Novak Djokovic is “the machine” who will get close to Roger Federer’s grand slam record and go down as one of the greatest players of all time, according to Tim Henman.

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Djokovic has already won the Australian Open this year and became the first man to win all three opening Masters events of the season when he triumphed in Monte Carlo on Sunday.

The 27-year-old is favourite to lift his first title at the French Open next month, which would see him add to his eight grand slam victories and close the gap on Rafael Nadal and Federer – who have 14 and 17.

Djokovic is yet to enjoy the same adulation as Federer, admired for his style, and Nadal, renowned for his athleticism, but former British No1 Henman says the Serb is starting to establish his own kind of dominance.

“Djokovic is the machine,” said Henman. “It’s the way he’s hitting the ball from the baseline, how aggressively he plays and how he does it with so few unforced errors.

“And then his movement and his athleticism – his ability to turn defence into attack is as good as I’ve ever seen. I think he will be considered in the same class as Federer and Nadal.

“Djokovic has won eight but in the not too distant future that number is going to climb to 11, 12, 13 and maybe more. When he does, he will go down as one of the greats.”

Djokovic overcame Nadal on clay – the Spaniard’s favourite surface – in the Monte Carlo semi-finals last week and has already beaten Andy Murray in Miami and Melbourne, as well as Federer in Indian Wells this season.

His form has led many to suggest he could become the first male to win all four grand slams in a year since Rod Laver in 1969.

“In theory it’s possible, he’s looking so strong at the moment, but I think it’s unlikely,” Henman added. “The odds are against him because to win seven best of five matches is difficult enough but to do that four times in a year and remain injury-free is very, very difficult.

:He has never won the French so that’s still his biggest challenge – it’s tough to look past Nadal when you see his record there.”