Novak Djokovic expected to play Wimbledon and labelled the ‘biggest favourite’

Novak Djokovic celebrates beating Jordan Thompson (not pictured) on day three of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon. Picture date: Wednesday July 5, 2023.

Rising ATP star Hamad Medjedovic believes Novak Djokovic is fit to play at Wimbledon and he feels his Serbian compatriot is “the biggest favourite” to win the title.

The 20-year-old described Djokovic’s capacity to heal from injuries as “insane” and he proclaimed that the tennis legend is “from another planet.”

Medjedovic, who won the 2023 ATP Next Gen Finals in December, has previously revealed how much Djokovic has helped him in his career.

“Novak Djokovic has been helping me out financially. Giving me whatever I need for my career. He covered it all. He just helped me out when I needed it and [is] still helping me out in all types of ways. I’m glad he’s there for me,” he explained last year.

The young Serbian, who is currently ranked 127th in the world, was beaten in the second round of qualifying for the 2024 Wimbledon Championships.

The participation of seven-time champion Djokovic is uncertain as he had surgery on his right knee after tearing his meniscus at the French Open just over three weeks ago.

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The 37-year-old has practised at the All England Club this week and divulged that he will only compete if he feels he can “play close to my maximum or at maximum.”

“I didn’t come here to play a few rounds,” Djokovic told the media on Monday. “You can never really know 100 per-cent once you start a tournament what’s going to happen after the first match or second match.

“It’s great to be back. The plan all along was to try to play Wimbledon so that’s what I’m trying to do. That’s why I came here earlier and to see how it goes.”

The Wimbledon draw ceremony will be held on Friday, while play in the main draw at the tournament will get underway on Monday.

In an interview with Clay, Medjedovic revealed he had spoken with Djokovic and expressed his hope his mentor would be able to play at Wimbledon.

“We’ve talked after his surgery,” Medjedovic explained. “I was checking on him. He wants to play. Most likely he’s fit since he came here. I really wish him to be healthy and fit. I hope that we get to see him play this year at Wimbledon.

“This (Djokovic’s ability to recover) is out of this world. I think Novak is just something else. The way his body heals is insane. He had a surgery two or three weeks ago. Now he’s here practising. He’s from another planet.

“If he’s fit and healthy, which I believe he is, because he came here, he is, in my opinion, the biggest favourite to be the champion.”

Medjedovic also discussed the impact Djokovic has had on the success of Serbian tennis: “We have a big population in Serbia that has been playing tennis for years now.

“It’s not so weird since we have Novak, the greatest tennis player of all time, the best sportsman in the world. In my opinion, the best ever.

“We have so many other good players that are playing right now and ex-players. I think Serbians like to play tennis. They enjoy the sport. We have pretty much success in it.”

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