LONDON, July 12 (Iance) 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic knows his target will be on his back at Wimbledon this year, as he chases his 24th major title.
After Tuesday’s quarter-final victory over Andrei Rublev, the Serb delivered a “It won’t happen!” In his on-court interview, when asked what his fellow competitors’ goal was to stop him being third in the season.
The world number two, who will compete in his 46th major semi-final on Friday against Italy’s Yannick Siner, doubled down on his comments in his post-match press conference.
“I don’t want to sound arrogant, but of course I will consider myself the favourite. Judging by the results I’ve had in my career here, and the four previous occasions at Wimbledon that I’ve won, I consider myself the favourite,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic, who could have edged Roger Federer to eight titles at Wimbledon this fortnight, hasn’t lost on center court since the 2013 final. The Serb is on a 33-match winning streak at the All England Club, dating back to his quarter-final retirement in 2017.
Djokovic has been the undisputed ruler in SW19 since 2018, and has maintained an undefeated streak on center court for the past 10 years. He hasn’t lost on Center Court since losing to Andy Murray in the 2013 final.
Since then, the Serb has lifted the trophy on six occasions and only suffered two defeats, both on the first court of the tournament.
Although the Serb has achieved great success in tournaments. The 94-time honors roster said he doesn’t slide on the turf as much this year.
“I think as the tournament goes on, I think as players, we feel more comfortable moving on the grass. So for some of us, like Sinner, for example, and Carlos Alcaraz, they like sliding. I think you’ve become more comfortable going skating,” Djokovic said. .
“Maybe at first you feel like walking on the whites a bit because the grass is also a bit more slippery at first, especially if you play indoors under the roof.
I think that’s the least I’ve ever slipped on the lawn, to be honest. Whether that was conscious or unconscious, I’m not really sure. I’m still trying to figure it out. Sometimes slipping isn’t the best option on grass. Sometimes it is. “It just depends on the ball and the situation,” he said.
– Jans
BC/CS
