It’s not been the first half of the year Novak Djokovic would have hoped for going into 2024 but the Serbian star remains the favourite to win Wimbledon this summer.
Djokovic enjoyed an outstanding 2023, winning three of the four Grand Slam titles, however now at the age of 37, perhaps the chasing pack are starting to catch up with this iconic player.
Disappointment In Melbourne And Paris
Last season, Djokovic found himself on course for a Grand Slam clean sweep, after winning both the Australian Open and the French Open in 2023. The Belgrade star, who is the 6/4 favourite in the 2024 Wimbledon betting, has come through the first two major tournaments this season without adding to his astonishing 24 Grand Slam titles. Djokovic, who is also 6/4 in the tennis betting to win the US Open this year, was looking strong at the Australian Open at the start of the season before defeat in the semi-finals. With rival Rafael Nadal making an early exit, Djokovic was also in contention at this year’s French Open, before a knee injury forced him to withdraw before the quarter-finals.
Understandably, questions are now being asked about Djokovic’s form and fitness ahead of the remaining two Grand Slams at Wimbledon and the French Open. A torn meniscus in his right knee will take time to heal but the hope is that the Serb will still be able to feature at Wimbledon in July and at the Olympics in Paris at the end of that month. Djokovic has made no secret of his desire to win an Olympic gold medal, something that has eluded a man who has seemingly accomplished almost all there is in tennis.
Rivals Gaining Ground On Djokovic
Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer are three of a golden generation of tennis players that have dominated the sport in recent decades. Federer called time on his illustrious career in 2022, while Nadal’s injury problems over the last 18 months mean he is likely to follow in the Swiss legend’s footsteps and call it a day soon. That leaves only Djokovic as a player still capable of challenging for Grand Slam titles in this moment.
Relishing nothing more than proving his doubters wrong, there’s little doubt Djokovic will be determined to come back strong from the disappointment of his early exit at Roland-Garros due to injury. The veteran showed just last year what he’s capable of and if he can get back to full fitness, he will certainly be a force to be reckoned with at both Wimbledon and the US Open.
All good things must come to an end at some point and there are now questions on whether Djokovic’s best days are behind him. There have been doubts before over Djokovic’s future in the sport and he came back to prove all his critics wrong. It certainly looks to be a case of watching this space, as the tennis icon prepares for London, the Olympics in Paris and New York before the 2024 season is through.