For Novak Djokovic, the years begin to count. Yet the 38-year-old Serbian is still one of the title candidates at Wimbledon, which starts on Monday. “His problem is that Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are faster.”
If Djokovic can still win a grand slam title somewhere, then it is on grass, says tennis commentator and former number 29 in the world Kristie Boogert.
“The whole picture is right on Wimbledon. The service of Djokovic is undervalued; although he is not a service cannon, he alternates very well. Moreover, he has great returns and moves well. Djokovic is incredibly limber and flexible. He also saves himself on the net.”
Schalken, who reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon three times in a row between 2002 and 2004, has seen Djokovic move less well in recent years. “Sinner and Alcaraz are the new growth brilliants of tennis. They are faster,” says Schalken.
“Djokovic sometimes looks like an old man. His age starts to catch up. Like Roger Federer, Djokovic used to come out of the corner like a feather. Now he is often a step too late.”
Djokovic looked a bit saturated
Djokovic was in a big dip after his Olympic title in 2024. He looked a bit saturated, in the knowledge that he had also conquered the last missing trophy. Yet with defeats against significantly lesser players, the Malheur was “the best that Djokovic could happen to,” says Boogert.
“As a result, he went back to the drawing table, because he found out that winning was not automatic. Then he won the tournament in Geneva and that helped him in the saddle again. Djokovic is a great in choosing his moments. He has adjusted his sight to the Grand Slams.”
The collaboration with his generationmate and former rival Andy Murray as a coach was not a success. “I think Andy wanted to tinker too much about the game of Djokovic,” says tennis coach and former Davis Cup captain Tjerk Bogtstra. “But you no longer have to teach that man how to win competitions. Djokovic didn’t want to hear that. You have to touch him for his feeling of honor.”
Because how do you stimulate an elder player? Bogtstra supervised the Dutch Prof Martin Verkerk and Raemon Sluiter in their late days. “You look for how it used to be, sometimes against better judgment. Can you do another trick and shutter were not fit enough to deliver top performance. That is not Djokovic’s problem.”
It is striking that Djokovic has become more vulnerable. “He becomes restless faster if he threatens to lose control. Then he will react to the audience or the Umpire, but he also needs that to stir up the fire.”
Compete against the ‘Big Two’
The 24-time Grand SLAM champion recently told that he had to compete for a long time against the ‘Big Two’ in tennis. He could never match the popularity of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Now Djokovic has to compete with the new ‘big two’ of the Profentennis: Sinner and Alcaraz. Bogtstra: “I think the respect for his career gets the upper hand. Djokovic is a phenomenon.”
Bogtstra says that Djokovic is lying on the idea that the whole world is against him. “The status of intruder who was the party of Federer and Nadal was always his engine. Djokovic used that resistance to him to excel. Was the audience at Wimbledon massively for Federer? Laughing, Djokovic posed with the cup for the winner.
I against the rest, that thought inspires Djokovic even more, says Bogtstra. “Now Djokovic thinks on Wimbledon: I am going to hurt those young guests and show who plays the best grass tennis. And you can count that it is an extra incentive for Djokovic to come up with federer after an eighth Wimbledon title. Djokovic lives for such challenges.”
Schalken sees how the gun factor at Djokovic has grown. “Although it will never be as big as with Federer and Nadal. But he is the best tennis player of all time. I think people also like to see Djokovic play again. That’s it, because I don’t believe the audience finds him so much more sympathetic now.”
The 24 Grand Slam titles from Djokovic
Australian Open: 10(2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023)Roland Garros: 3(2016, 2021, 2023)Wimbledon: 7(2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)US Open: 4(2011, 2015, 2018, 2023)
‘Saving energy in the first week’
According to Boogert, Djokovic will have to save energy in the first week to reach the record number of 25 Grand -Slam titles – he is now sharing it with the Australian Margaret Court. “If he makes it smoothly the second week, I still see him as a title candidate. On Wimbledon the points are shorter and the parties less long, which can work in his favor.”
Wimbledon is also a mental fight for Djokovic, says Bogtstra. “On the gravel of Roland Garros, Djokovic didn’t really seem to believe that he could beat Sinner. On grass he feels more comfortable, there he finds himself the best.”
According to Schalken, Sinner is for the time being the biggest obstacle for Djokovic, who can hit the number one in the world as well as at Roland Garros in the semi -finals. “I think Djokovic is struggling with Sinner than against Alcaraz. Sinner has more or less the same playing style as Djokovic.”
“Although he is a little more behind the baseline, he compensates for that with harder strokes. Sinner has the strongest legs, that makes it so difficult for Djokovic. But Djokovic is never allowed to write off. His reliability can be the decisive factor on Wimbledon.”
Djokovic also sees it as the chance
Djokovic was also asked at Wimbledon on Saturday whether this was the chance of the 25th Grand Slam title. The tennis tournament starts on Monday. “I agree that Wimbledon is my best chance,” said the number six of the placement list. “This because of the results I have achieved, how I feel and how I play on Wimbledon.”
He does not want to speak of a ‘Last Dance’. “My wish is to play for a few more years. That is the goal, but you never know at this stage. My level fluctuates quite a bit and fluctuates much more than was the case in most of my career.”
For Novak Djokovic, The Years Are Starting to Count. Yet, the 38-year-old Serbian is Still Among The Title Contenders at Wimbledon, which Starts on Monday. “His problem is that Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz Are Faster.”
If djokovic can win another grand slam title anywhere, it is on grass, says tennis commentator and former world number 29 Kristie Boogert.
“Everything fits at Wimbledon. Djokovic’s Serve is underrated; he may not be a service cannon, but he varies it incredible well. Moreover, he has great returns and moves well. Djokovic is Exceredly at the Netnable and Agile.
Schalken, Who Reached the Quarterfinals at Wimbledon Three Times in A Row Between 2002 and 2004, Sees Djokovic Moving Less Well in Recent Years. “Sinner and Alcaraz are the new shining stars of tennis. They are faster,” Says Schalken.
“Djokovic Sometimes Looks like an old man. His age is starting to catch up with him. Like Roger Federer, Djokovic Used to Spring Out of the Corner Like A Feather. Now he is of a step too.”
Djokovic Seemed Somewhat Jaded
Djokovic was in A Significant Slump After His Olympic Title in 2024. He seemed Somewhat Jaded, Knowing that he had the Last Missing Trophy. Yet, that misfortune with defeats against significant lesser players was “the best thing that could happened to djokovic,” Says boogert.
“As a result, he went back to the drawing board because he realized that winning was no longer automatic. He’s then won the tournament in Geneva, which helped him get back in the saddle. Djokovic is a master at the grand s set of slogs. He has s set of he has been he has been he has been the he has been the he has been he has been the he has been the he has been the he has been his set.” “” “” “”
The Collaboration with his contemporary and Former Rival Andy Murray As Coach was not a success. “I think Andy Wanted to Tinker Too Much with Djokovic’s Game,” Says Tennis Coach and Former Davis Cup Captain Tjerk Bogtstra. “But you don’t need to teach that man how to win matches anymore. Djokovic Didn’t Want to hear that. You have to touch him on his sense of Honor.”
Because how do you stimulate a player of age? Bogtstra coached the Dutch Professional Martin Verkerk and Raemon Sluiter in Their Twilight Years. “You go looking for what it used to be like, Sometimes Against your better Judgment. Can you pull off a trick one more time? Verkerk and Sluiter Were not fit enough to deliver top performances. That is not djokovic’s problem.”
Boogert does notice that djokovic has Become more vulnerable. “He gets restless a little faster when he threatens to lose control. Then he takes it out on the audience or the umpire, but he also needs that to ignite the fire.”
Fighting Against the ‘Big Two’
The 24-time Grand Slam Champion Recently Said That He Had to Fight Against the ‘Big Two’ in Tennis For A Long Time. He could never match the popularity of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Now djokovic has to compete with the new ‘big two’ or professional tennis: sinner and alcaraz. Bogtstra: “I think the respect for his career will prevail. Djokovic is a phenomenon.”
Bogtstra Says That Djokovic Revels in the Idea That The Whole World is Against Him. “The status of intruder who spoiled federer and nadal’s party was Always his Engine. Djokovic Used That Resistance Against Him to Excel. Was the Audience at Wimbledon Massively for Federer? Djokovic Posed Withed the Trophy for the Wederer, Lughing.”
Me against the rest, that thought inspires djokovic even more, Accordination to Bogtstra. “Now Djokovic Thinks at Wimbledon: I’m Going to Hurt Those Young Guys and Show who plays the best grass tennis. And you can bet that it is an extra incentive for djokovic to Draw Level with Federer after an Eighth Wimbledon. Djokovic. Djokovic.” Djokovic. “
Schalken Sees How the fan Factor Has Grown with Djokovic. “Although it will never be as big as with federer and nadal. But he is the best tennis player of all time. I think people also like djokovic play one time. That’s it, Becoause I Don’t Believe that the Public Finds.”
Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam Titles
Australian Open: 10(2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023)Roland Garros: 3(2016, 2021, 2023)Wimbledon: 7(2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)US Open: 4(2011, 2015, 2018, 2023)
‘Save Energy in the First Week’
In order to reach the record number of 25 grand slam titles – he now Shares it with Australian Margaret Court – Djokovic Will Have Energy in the First Week, According to Boogert. “If he made it smoothly to the second week, I still see him as a title contender. At Wimbledon, the points are shorter and the matches are less long, which can work to his advantage.”
Wimbledon will also be a mental battle for djokovic, says bogtstra. “On the clay of Roland Garros, Djokovic Did not really seem to believe that he could play sinner. He feels more comfortable on grass, where he thinks he is the best.”
Accordance to Schalken, Sinner is still the biggest obstacle for djokovic, who may face the number one in the world in the semi-finals, as on Roland Garros. “I think djokovic has a harder time again sinner than against alcaraz. Sinner has more or less the same playing style as djokovic.”
“He is indeed a little further behind the baseline, but he compensates for that with harder strokes. Sinner has the strongest legs, which make it so diffress for djokovic. But you should never write off factor at the decisity couldon.”
Djokovic himself also sees it as the opportunity
Djokovic himself was also asked on Saturday at Wimbledon Whether this was the opportunity for the 25th Grand Slam Title. The Tennis Tournament starts on Monday. “I agree that wimbledon is my best chance,” Said the Number Six on the placement list. “This is because of the results I have achieved, how I feel and how I play at Wimbledon.”
He does not want to speak or a ‘last dance’. “My Wish is to play for a few more years. That is the goal, but you never know at this stage. My level fluctuates QUITE A BIT AND Fluctuates Much More than was the case for most of my career.”