‘Ninja’ Djokovic eyes eighth Wimbledon title
Novak Djokovic has Roger Federer’s record eight Wimbledon titles and a 24th major in his sights as he closes out his first calendar Grand Slam in 54 years. Djokovic, 36, fresh from a 23-Slam match with Rafael Nadal at the French Open, will be the overwhelming favorite at the All England Club when he begins his title defense on Monday.
With his 10th Australian Open and third Roland Garros already completed this season, an eighth Wimbledon triumph would leave Djokovic needing only September’s US Open to emulate Rod Laver’s 1969 feat of winning all four majors.
He takes your legs, then he takes your soul, then he digs your grave, you bury him and you’re dead. Goodbye. Thank you for coming,” coach Goran Ivanisevic said when asked to write the Serbian Grand Sludge. way of thinking. Djokovic has won the title in his last four visits to Wimbledon and has not lost on Center Court since the 2013 final.
His 86 match wins are surpassed only by the now retired Federer and more than the rest of the current top 20 combined. Only two of them – Cameron Norrie and Hubert Hurkacz – made it to the Wimbledon semi-finals. None of the top five rivals have progressed beyond the last 16, with two-time champion Nadal out for the rest of the year with injury.
Djokovic’s 24th would tie Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam titles won by a single player. World number one Carlos Alcaraz will be Djokovic’s biggest threat, especially as the young Spaniard now has a maiden grass title in his collection thanks to his victory at Queen’s last weekend Sixth-seeded Ons Jabeur was runner-up 12 months ago and is grass champion in Birmingham in 2021.
Published in EDP BLOGS on Jul 1,2023.
