Novak Djokovic made a medical begin to his newest pursuit of a record-breaking twenty fifth Grand Slam title on the French Open. — AFP/File
Novak Djokovic admits Wimbledon gives him the “best chance” to make historical past as he chases a record-breaking twenty fifth Grand Slam title within the twilight of his glittering profession.
Djokovic is dreaming of placing an exclamation level on his unbelievable profession by turning into essentially the most profitable singles participant in tennis historical past.
The 38-year-old has been tied with Margaret Court docket on 24 Grand Slam titles since successful his most up-to-date main prize on the 2023 US Open.
With Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz and world primary Jannik Sinner rising as the game’s dominant forces by successful the final six Grand Slams between them, Djokovic believes his most real looking hope of a historic twenty fifth title lies on the plush lawns of south-west London.
“I would probably agree that Wimbledon could be the best chance because of the results I had, because of how I feel, how I play in Wimbledon, just getting that extra push mentally and motivation to perform the best tennis at the highest level,” Djokovic advised reporters on the All England Membership on Saturday.
Djokovic misplaced to Alcaraz within the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon finals and has did not make the title match in any of his final three Grand Slams.
After dropping to Sinner within the latest French Open semi-finals, Djokovic arrives at Wimbledon within the uncommon place of not being thought to be the All England Membership title favorite.
The Serb would draw degree on a file eight males’s Wimbledon singles titles with Roger Federer if he wins the grass-court event for the primary time since 2022.
However Djokovic, who received his one hundredth tour-level title in Might in Geneva, has been dogged by questions on when he’ll retire since fulfilling his long-held need for Olympic singles gold in Paris final 12 months.
He hinted after the French Open in June that he won’t return to Roland Garros and was coy a few potential Wimbledon farewell.
‘You are at all times searching’
“Whether it could be my last dance, I´m not sure, as I´m not sure about Roland Garros or any other Slam that I play next,” he mentioned.
“My wish is to play for several more years. I would love to be healthy physically and also mentally motivated to keep on playing at the highest level. That´s the goal, but you never know at this stage.”
After battling for years with Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, Djokovic is the final of that star quartet nonetheless taking part in.
The previous world primary has been usurped by Alcaraz and Sinner during the last two years and he’s joyful to confess his solely remaining objective is to make Grand Slam historical past.
“In a sense you’re always hunting because you’re always going for the titles — in my also privileged position — the records and more history,” he said.
“I would say it’s slightly different for me now in terms of I don’t chase the rankings anymore in that regard. I’m trying to play the best tennis in Grand Slams and trying to win Grand Slams.”
Djokovic, competing at his lowest Wimbledon seeding (sixth) since 2018, will begin his campaign against Alexandre Muller of France next week.
The Serb, who has been in every Wimbledon final since 2018, is seeded for a quarter-final meeting with British fourth seed Jack Draper and a semi-final against Sinner before a potential final showdown with Alcaraz.
Looking ahead to that daunting schedule, Djokovic conceded his performances haven´t been consistent enough of late.
“My degree of tennis has been going fairly up and down and fluctuating far more than it was the case for essentially the most a part of my profession, when you see the final 12 months and a half, too, I´ve been form of unstable with my outcomes,” he mentioned.
“This year I played two semi-finals. Unfortunately in Australia I had to retire. In Roland Garros I was outplayed by Sinner. I think I still played a decent level of tennis that showed me that I can still play on a very high level at the later stages.”
