Deadly Novak Djokovic says he’s favourite to win Wimbledon
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Djokovic celebrates after beating Russian Andrey Rublev.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
LONDON – Novak Djokovic said he considers himself the “favourite” to lift this year’s Wimbledon title, even if it makes him sound “arrogant”.
The Serbian star reached his 12th Wimbledon semi-final and record-equalling 46th at the Grand Slams with a four-set victory over Andrey Rublev on Tuesday.
Djokovic, chasing an eighth title at the All England Club and 24th career Major, came through 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 and will face Italy’s Jannik Sinner for a place in the final.
He has now reached as many semi-finals at the Slams as the retired Roger Federer.
“I don’t want to sound arrogant, but of course, I would consider myself favourite,” said Djokovic.
“Judging by the results I had in my career here, the last four times at Wimbledon that I won, so I do consider myself favourite, yes.”
The 36-year-old was playing in his 400th Grand Slam match on Tuesday and insisted he was enjoying being the man to beat.
“I love it. Any player wants to be in the position where all the other players want to beat you,” he said, after preserving his record of not being defeated on Centre Court since 2013.
“The pressure never goes away every time I come on court. They want to get a scalp and the win – but it ain’t happening!”
Sinner is next in line to chase that scalp and said cementing his spot in the world’s top 10 had given him the mental edge in Grand Slams, while gaining strength had helped him endure lengthy matches.
The 21-year-old, who first broke into the top 10 in 2021 but reached a career-high No. 8 in April, produced power that belied his slender frame in a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 win over Russian Roman Safiullin to emerge as a first-time Major semi-finalist.
“For sure, physically I’ve improved. I’m much stronger. I can stay on court for many hours without suffering,” said Sinner, who has worked with former Australian player Darren Cahill this summer.
“Also mentally, you’re going in a slightly different mental side on court knowing you’re also a top-10 player... You might go as a favourite most of the time on the court till certain rounds of the tournament.
“I think also game-wise or tennis-wise I feel better. If I have to play the slice, I can play now without thinking. Before it was always a bit different. I can go to the net knowing I have good volleys.
“I have some good things now in my game.”
On his next opponent, the eighth seed said: “It’s one of the toughest, if not the toughest, challenge in front of me...
“It’s a very important round, the semi-finals. He’s won 23 Grand Slams. Won in Australia, won in Paris. A huge confidence boost.
“It’s going to be tough... Last year I played a very good match against him. I’ve learnt about it. Hopefully, I can show this also on the court. I’m going to stick with my game plan.” AFP, REUTERS