Will the Great Novak Djokovic Ever Win Another Grand Slam?
Locker Room
May 13, 2024
Novak Djokovic was undoubtedly unlucky to be struck on the head by a water bottle as he signed autographs in Rome.
When he next played, he said he felt strange. ‘It was like another player had entered my shoes. There was no balance, no tempo, no rhythm. It’s concerning.’
The short-term result was a surprising 2-6, 3-6 defeat to Alejandro Tabilo. That reverse ended his hopes of a first title this year.
Therein lies the rub, as Shakespeare might say. In Italy there was an obvious excuse – and everyone rightly sympathised with the great champion.
But the fact remains that Djokovic hasn’t won a tennis trophy all year.
Novak Djokovic knows that Wimbledon 2024 could be his last big chance to become the undisputed greatest of all time.
As things stand, he has left every other man in the shade. Novak has 24 majors. His closest male rival is Rafael Nadal on 22 – and it’s unlikely the much-loved Spaniard will add to that total.
But Margaret Court, the legendary Australian also has 24 major victories to her name. And whilst most people would put Novak on another tennis planet, the record books point to parity.
Novak Djokovic is about to turn 37. Does he still have the ability to win big when it really matters – at the Grand Slam events?
Needless to say, he has done it before. The battling Serb has been written off in the past, only to stun us all with his resurgence when the rewards were sufficiently enticing.
And Novak Djokovic has something else in his favour. Young rival Jannik Sinner has suffered injury problems of late – and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz has been erratic this year.
The summer Slams in Paris and London are still there for the taking, if Djokovic can summon the self-belief. And no one in the modern game has self-belief quite like Novak Djokovic.
Could Wimbledon 2024 offer up a surprise, first-time winner? It’s possible. But Novak Djokovic will undoubtedly arrive at the All England Club with fresh hunger.
The question, going forward, is whether Novak’s physical performance can match that burning personal desire – and put him ahead of Margaret Court.
All will become clear soon enough. But with the title of undisputed GOAT on the line, this build-up to Wimbledon 2024 will be intriguing indeed.
Back in Rome, the underdog from Chile could hardly believe his win over Novak.
Tabilo said: ‘It’s incredible. I’m trying to wake up right now. It’s crazy, I can’t believe what’s happened.’
But Djokovic falling short at a tournament this year isn’t quite such a surprise as it has been in previous years.
Novak Djokovic will try his luck at Roland Garros and then focus on the big one – Wimbledon 2024.
Will you be there to find out whether the finest male player of all time can become the undisputed all-time-great?
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