Novak Djokovic has suggested he wouldn’t have played Wimbledon if one thing happened ahead of the tournament.
The Serbian began his Wimbledon campaign with a four-set victory over Frenchman Alexandre Muller on Centre Court on July 1.
Djokovic set up a tie with Britain’s Dan Evans in the second round as he looks to win his 25th Grand Slam title.
The World No. 6 is one of the favourites to win the competition despite not winning a Grand Slam since 2023, but he suggested there was one thing that could have stopped him from playing Wimbledon.
Novak Djokovic says he wouldn’t play Wimbledon if he couldn’t win it
This is widely considered Djokovic’s best chance at winning one last Grand Slam and the Serbian revealed that’s one of the key reasons he’s even playing the event.
The tennis legend does not play as many tournaments as he used to and he’s only at Wimbledon because he feels he has a chance of winning it.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I have a chance to be honest,” Djokovic told the BBC after his win against Muller.
“I think I always have a chance,” continued the 24-time Grand Slam champion. “I think I’ve earned my right to really feel like I can go all the way to the title.”
Djokovic has picked up seven Wimbledon trophies, one behind Roger Federer’s all-time record of eight All England Club wins.
“I’ve had arguably the most consistent success of any grand slam here at Wimbledon the last decade,” explained Djokovic.
Djokovic’s match with Evans will take place on July 3, with the time and location yet to be announced by Wimbledon.
Novak Djokovic has strangely never beaten Dan Evans
There are not many players on the ATP Tour Djokovic is yet to beat across his illustrious career, but his next opponent bizarrely has a 100% record against the Serbian.
Evans, currently ranked at No. 154 in the world, has only ever played Djokovic once and he found himself on the winning side against the tennis icon.
Evans and Djokovic played each other on the clay at Monte Carlo in 2021 and the Briton picked up a straight-sets victory.
The former World No. 21 defeated the 24-time Grand Slam champion 6-4, 7-5 in their singular meeting on the tour.