With less than a month to go before Wimbledon 2023, the predictions are already coming in hot on who would dominate this year’s tournament, with several favourites shortlisted. But all eyes will be on Novak Djokovic, who will be looking at making history and renewing record books on several spaces. 

Currently, at 22 Grand Slam titles, the Serbian can make it to 23, surpassing Rafael Nadal as the only male player with the Most Grand Slams won. Alongside that, he has the rare feat of becoming the player to win the most Wimbledon titles if he wins this year. 

History rewritten?

Novak Djokovic’s dominance at Wimbledon is becoming increasingly remarkable. With four consecutive victories and six out of the last eight men’s singles titles, he is just one triumph away from matching Roger Federer’s record at SW19. 

This development has surprised many tennis enthusiasts, who are starting to acknowledge Djokovic as the greatest grass-court player in history. With Djokovic on the brink of history, the centre court is getting ready to applaud the stalwart as he tries to renew the history books. While official tickets are sold out, there is an upward trend for tickets on reseller platforms such as Seatsnet for tickets for the centre court.  

While that distinction was once exclusively Federer’s, Djokovic’s relentless pursuit of titles has placed him on the cusp of monumental achievements. 

The possibility of winning five consecutive men’s singles titles at Wimbledon places Djokovic in the esteemed company of only Federer and Bjorn Borg. What sets Djokovic apart is that he accomplished this after age 30, defying any notions of a decline. As witnessed last year, Djokovic showed no signs of slowing down when he effortlessly dominated his opponents. 

The fact that he has maintained such a high level of performance is a testament to his longevity in the sport.

Another milestone within Djokovic’s grasp is becoming the oldest men’s singles champion at Wimbledon.  

In 2022, he became the second-oldest champion in the tournament’s history. This year, he aims to surpass Federer’s record as the oldest champion, with Federer winning his last title at SW19 at 35 years and 342 days.  

The Serb’s success at Wimbledon has posed a significant challenge to Federer since 2014, with Djokovic defeating him in three consecutive finals. These victories altered the Grand Slam title race and showcased Djokovic’s affinity for the grass surface, often associated with Federer’s supremacy. 

Wimbledon holds a special place in Djokovic’s heart, and his deep appreciation for the tournament has played a role in his evolution as a player. It has been a venue where he has achieved some of his greatest career triumphs. 

His impressive records at Wimbledon, including a 28-match winning streak, a 7-1 record in finals, and no losses on Centre Court since 2013, have instilled a sense of invincibility within him. The more he wins, the more confident and comfortable he becomes, reinforcing his connection to the prestigious tournament. Djokovic’s dominance is also reflected in ticket sales and the popularity among spectators, as per Seatsnet, one of the trusted retailers for tickets, with games involving Djokovic selling out instantly last year. 

For Djokovic, Wimbledon represents the fulfilment of a childhood dream, and each time he steps onto the Centre Court, it evokes unparalleled emotions. The significance of this tournament in his journey cannot be overstated. His remarkable run at Wimbledon continues, and he embraces the opportunity to create history and further solidify his legacy on the sport’s grandest stage. 

It won’t be straightforward – Patrick McEnroe

While Novak Djokovic’s quest for an eighth Wimbledon title seems formidable, Patrick McEnroe believes it will be challenging for the Serbian star this year. McEnroe points to the emergence of a crop of young American players who could pose a challenge. 

Taylor Fritz, who reached Wimbledon last year, is someone McEnroe thinks could be a contender. He also mentions the potential of Ben Shelton, who, if he adapts to the grass surface well, could be a dangerous opponent. With his solid game and early ball striking, Tommy Paul is another player McEnroe believes could perform well.

However, the player who garners the most excitement from McEnroe is Sebastian Korda. Coming off an impressive quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open, Korda has caught McEnroe’s attention. 

McEnroe sees excellent potential in Korda and believes he could be a legitimate threat at Wimbledon with a more potent serve and power.

Korda had already faced Djokovic earlier this year in the final of the Adelaide International, where he held a championship point before Djokovic staged a remarkable comeback. Although Korda reached the fourth round of Wimbledon in 2021, an injury prevented him from competing at the tournament last year in Eastbourne.

He will equal Roger Federer’s record if Djokovic can overcome the field again and claim his eighth Wimbledon title. Only Martina Navratilova, with nine Wimbledon singles titles, would stand ahead of the 35-year-old Serbian in the record books. 

Reflections from the Djokovic-Federer Era

The rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer has captivated tennis fans for over a decade, with their matches producing some of the most remarkable moments in tennis history. The Federer-Djokovic era savoured some of the greatest games in Wimbledon, serving all the fans pure sporting showmanship. One game that stands out is the Wimbledon final in 2019, where Djokovic faced an unstoppable Federer playing at his abilities peak. Despite Federer’s statistical advantage, Djokovic came out on top and secured his fifth Wimbledon title.

During a recent pre-tournament press conference at the French Open, Djokovic provided insights into his evolving mindset and game over the past few years. 

He acknowledged that his physical form had changed significantly during the decade. However, when asked if he would have done anything differently in the 2019 Wimbledon final, Djokovic clarified that he wouldn’t change a thing. 

He acknowledged that there were other big matches in his career where he wished he had handled certain situations differently, which could have led to different outcomes.

In a documentary called ‘Boom! Boom! The World Vs Boris Becker,’ Djokovic reflected on his match against Federer in the 2014 Wimbledon final. Lasting nearly four hours, the game showcased both players’ incredible determination and skill. 

Defeating Federer at Wimbledon, his favourite Grand Slam, required Djokovic to bring his absolute best. Federer’s eight Wimbledon titles highlight his exceptional abilities on grass courts.

In the documentary, Djokovic described the 2014 Wimbledon final as a thrilling roller coaster ride, acknowledging the challenge of facing Federer on grass. He emphasized the need to bring his A-game to have a chance against Federer’s remarkable skills in those conditions. 

The match between Djokovic and Federer remains a memorable and intense encounter, showcasing both players’ incredible talent and resilience and leaving a lasting impact on the sport’s history.

With less than a month to go for this year’s championship, there’s still time for spectators t get their tickets for the respective match days, thanks to reseller platforms such as Seatsnet. With trusted partners listing their available options, watch out for limited centre-court tickets and the platform’s top picks.