Novak Djokovic's French Open dream ended with a straight-sets defeat to Jannik Sinner, leaving fans wondering if the Serbian legend can still add to his Grand Slam tally. Now, all eyes are on Wimbledon, where Djokovic hopes the familiar turf will rekindle his winning form.
Querrey's Prediction: A Tricky Path to Victory
Former Wimbledon semi-finalist Sam Querrey believes Djokovic's path to another Grand Slam title isn't straightforward. Querrey suggests Djokovic needs a favourable draw, avoiding both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner early in the tournament.
“I don’t think Novak can win a Major if he has to beat Carlos and Sinner,” Querrey stated on the Nothing Major podcast, highlighting the challenges posed by the younger stars. He added that Djokovic might have a better chance against Alcaraz, citing the Spaniard's occasional erratic play.
Querrey's co-host, Jack Sock, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the significance of Wimbledon for Djokovic. “I am excited to see Novak at Wimbledon because it’s on grass and I think his game and his age, the points are going to be shorter and he will be able to do a bit more damage from the baseline,” Sock explained. He believes the grass court's faster pace could benefit Djokovic's game, allowing him to dictate play more effectively.
Djokovic's Optimism: Grass is My Friend
Despite the Roland Garros setback, Djokovic remains optimistic about his chances at Wimbledon. He believes the grass courts suit his playing style, offering him a better opportunity to win compared to hard courts. Djokovic emphasized his plan to rest and prepare thoroughly for the tournament, skipping any preceding events, possibly except for the exhibition in Hurlingham.
“The transition from clay to grass is not easy, so I will take my time to rest and prepare well. Grass courts favor my tennis, I feel very good, and my good results there give me great confidence. I believe I have more chances to win on grass than on hard courts,” Djokovic stated, underlining his confidence in his grass-court prowess.
Will Wimbledon Be Djokovic's Redemption?
Wimbledon 2025 presents Djokovic with a chance to prove his doubters wrong and silence retirement talks. The faster surface and shorter rallies could play to his strengths, allowing him to compete effectively against the younger generation. Whether he can navigate a potentially challenging draw and capitalize on the grass remains to be seen. South African tennis fans will be watching closely to see if Djokovic can add another Wimbledon title to his illustrious career.