Inspired by Serena Williams’ incredible comeback, Novak Djokovic is aiming for a record-breaking victory at Wimbledon.
At the age of 44, Williams has made a comeback to tennis. This week, she will play her first singles match in four years against Maya Joint in the Wimbledon first round.
In her incredible career, the American icon has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, trailing only Djokovic’s men’s record of 24.
The 39-year-old Djokovic is aiming for an all-time record of 25 Grand Slam singles victories, and he approached Williams to talk about her incredible recovery because she wanted to play in front of her two young daughters.
“Look, first and foremost, what she’s doing is inspirational and it’s epic. That’s what I told her. I always admired her career, her journey, her story,” AFP quoted Djokovic telling reporters on Saturday.
“For her to come back after years of being absent from the tour, two children later, and to give so much effort to, not just for her own satisfaction is remarkable.
“I told her that whatever happens, what she’s doing is truly inspirational for me personally, I’m sure for millions around the world.”
When Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final in January, he broke the Open Era record for the oldest men’s Grand Slam singles finalist. At the age of 37, Ken Rosewall became the oldest man to win a Grand Slam singles championship in the Open Era at the Australian Open in 1972.
Djokovic hopes the American has a long run at a tournament she last won in 2016, as Williams’ return has given him more confidence in his own history bid.
“I see her in the gym more than I have, I think, seen her when she was at her prime. It tells me that she really wants this to work out the best way possible,” he said.
“It’s admirable, honestly, the effort she’s putting in. Of course, all eyes are on her comeback. She created something historical, legendary in her career. She deserves every applause she’s going to get.”
Both Djokovic and Williams have won seven Wimbledon singles championships. However, Djokovic’s most recent victory at the All England Club was four years ago, and he lost to Alcaraz in his most recent final appearance in 2024.
The Serb lost to emerging Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca in the third round of the most recent French Open, losing a two-set lead.
As Djokovic’s incredible career draws to a close, he is aware that Wimbledon’s quick grass courts, which cut down on exhausting rallies, present him with the ideal opportunity to capture that elusive 25th Grand Slam championship.
“It is different in terms of just the overall physical state. I think I’m better prepared here than I was for Roland Garros, which was very demanding and draining,” he said.
“I was planning to peak at Wimbledon after the injury of the shoulder that kind of kept me away from the tour for several months.
“Obviously playing on grass, comparing to clay, you don’t need to exert as much physical effort. So that’s better for me.”
Djokovic stated that Wimbledon has always been his favorite competition, adding, “I have a very good score here, some history. That gives me, of course, a higher dose of confidence coming into the tournament.”
