Wimbledon Preview: Djokovic bids for title No. 8 and Grand Slam trophy No. 24

WIMBLEDON, England — Hearken to Novak Djokovic‘s opponents clarify why he’s as profitable as he’s — why he’ll start his pursuit of a fifth consecutive and eighth total Wimbledon championship on Monday; why he additionally can be trying to assert an Open era-record twenty fourth Grand Slam trophy over the approaching fortnight on the All England Membership’s grass courts — they usually’ll provide loads of solutions.

His best-in-the-game return of serve. His harmful two-handed backhand. His elasticity. His stamina. His protection. His skill to learn another person’s intentions, get to the place a ball is headed and ship it again with power, a mixture Casper Ruud described this manner after shedding to Djokovic within the French Open closing: “He form of simply goes into this mode the place he simply turns into, like, a wall.”

Hearken to Novak Djokovic clarify why he’s achieved what he’s achieved and why, at age 36, he’s nonetheless doing it, and he’ll provide a motive far much less tangible and much much less observable, one thing he talked about throughout his victory speech at Roland Garros a number of weeks in the past.

“I attempt to visualize each single factor in my life and never solely imagine it, however actually really feel it with each cell in my physique. And I simply need to ship a message on the market to each younger particular person: Be within the current second; overlook about what occurred up to now; the longer term is one thing that’s simply going to occur,” Djokovic stated. “However if you need a greater future, you create it. Take the means in your arms. Imagine it. Create it.”

Talking that day about his personal hopes and goals as a 7-year-old child, Djokovic famous two major targets: attending to No. 1 and profitable Wimbledon.

He’s already been No. 1 for extra weeks than any man or lady within the half-century of computerized rankings. Now he’ll attempt to pull even with Roger Federer by incomes title No. 8 on the oldest of the 4 Grand Slam tennis tournaments. Djokovic is one forward of the injured Rafael Nadal — and three forward of the retired Federer — for essentially the most singles majors gained by a person, with 23.

“These two guys,” Djokovic stated, “have been occupying my thoughts for the final 15 years rather a lot.”

His 23 is identical quantity Serena Williams ended her profession with final season; solely Margaret Courtroom, who gained 24 throughout each the beginner {and professional} eras, has extra.

“Grand Slams are the aim. I don’t know what number of, however I believe he has in his physique much more,” stated Djokovic’s coach, Goran Ivanisevic. “It’s fascinating to see, as a result of generally you suppose, `OK, now you will have 23.’ However he’s going to search out, once more, some form of motivation to win 24, perhaps 25. Who is aware of the place is the top?”

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Getting into the 2011 season, the so-called Large Three’s Slam standings appeared like this: Federer with 16, Nadal with 9, Djokovic with one.

After profitable his preliminary main title on the 2008 Australian Open, Djokovic went by means of an 11-major span the place 4 of the losses got here in opposition to Federer or Nadal in a semifinal or closing.

His self-confidence waned a bit.

“That’s the place I used to be actually doubting myself, whether or not I may do it or not, since you get far however then you definately fall on the final hurdle,” Djokovic stated. “The extra occasions you form of fall, the extra you query all the things, you understand what I imply?”

And but, with the identical tenacity he makes use of on a courtroom — “The psychological fortitude he has is unbelievable,” was how his first-round opponent in Paris, Aleksandar Kovacevic, put it — Djokovic dug in away from the courtroom and located methods to enhance. And nonetheless does that, which is a part of why most think about him, and never No. 1 seed Carlos Alcaraz, the favourite as Djokovic continues to pursue the primary calendar-year Grand Slam by a person since Rod Laver in 1969.

So the place did this perception come from?

Djokovic factors to a number of components: his upbringing throughout a time of struggle and embargo in Serbia within the Nineteen Nineties; his dad and mom (“95-plus % of individuals … have been laughing at them, and have been discouraging them to spend no matter is left over from the household price range into such an costly sport,” he stated); his first coach and “tennis mom,” JJelena Genčić; and a later coach and “tennis father,” Niki Pilić.

All helped him develop as an athlete and particular person.

When he was 7 or 8, Djokovic stated, Genčić would present him video of the very best female and male tennis gamers. She additionally taught him “the significance of enjoyable and listening to classical music, studying poetry, singing, and studying, respiration consciously and so forth.”

His mom, he stated, “is a rock,” and his father “instilled in me such energy of perception and constructive pondering.”

That, as a lot as any explicit shot or expertise, is why, Djokovic says, “Every day, I’m the very best on the courtroom.”

It’s why he has gained 11 of the previous 21 Grand Slam tournaments.

And it’s why he avoids wading into any debate about who the very best participant ever is.

“I don’t need to enter in these discussions,” Djokovic stated. “I’m writing my very own historical past.”

Extra from Sportsnet

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Alcaraz replaces Djokovic at No. 1 ahead of Wimbledon; Swiatek stays atop WTA

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Printed : 2023-06-29 12:47:30