All top players attempt to peak for the Grand Slam tournaments. None do it better than Novak Djokovic.
The Serb improved to a flawless 20-0 at the majors in 2023, thanks to a win over Jannik Sinner in Friday’s Wimbledon semifinals.
Djokovic, who turned pro 20 years ago, recently celebrated his 36th birthday. Somehow, he seems to be improving when it comes to attaining his highest level at the sport’s four biggest tournaments.
Last year, he faced Sinner in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, and in a gritty performance recovered from two-sets-to-love down to win.
A year on, facing a stronger, fitter, more experienced version of the Italian, deeper in the tournament, Djokovic won in straight sets.
He has won six of the past eight major tournaments he has entered, and has not lost a Grand Slam match in almost 14 months.
No player, since turning 30, has won more Grand Slam titles in the Open era than Djokovic, who could become the oldest men’s singles champion at Wimbledon in Open-era history.
He has already won Wimbledon seven times. He already owns 23 Grand Slam singles titles – the most of any man, ever – following his triumph at Roland Garros last month. His place in history is assured and he has nothing to prove; he owns an increasing number of records and has won practically all there is to win in professional tennis.
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Yet he remains as driven as ever.
“To be honest with you, I don't feel much difference,” he replied when asked if a mental shift had occurred after winning that men’s record 23rd Slam in Paris.
“Ambition is always the highest for me: always to win the title. It's not changing regardless of the place in history books.
“Maybe some people think that it would be a huge relief for me winning Roland Garros, being the only men's tennis player with 23 Slams. It's not.
“I still feel goose bumps and butterflies and nerves coming into every single match. So I'm going to be coming into Sunday's final like it's my first.”
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Champions are renowned for always finding ways to self-motivate, remain inspired, and challenge themselves. And there are always new achievements to unlock, even for an athlete like Djokovic whose tennis CV is remarkably complete.
There is a chance to wrest the world No.1 ranking back from Carlos Alcaraz, his opponent in Sunday’s final.
Djokovic’s competitive senses will no doubt be heightened knowing Alcaraz is motivated to reverse the result of their recent Roland Garros semifinal, which Djokovic won in four sets.
Roger Federer is often considered the greatest grass-courter of all time, but Djokovic could equal Federer’s tally of eight Wimbledon titles.
That would put him three-quarters of the way to a calendar Grand Slam, something no man has achieved since Rod Laver 54 years ago.
There’s a sense of unfinished business here for Djokovic, who came within one match win of that momentous achievement in 2021. He revealed this was on his mind after winning in Paris last month, and should he come through in London, then New York, he would own 25 major singles titles – more than any player in the history of the sport.
It is astounding Djokovic manages to maintain such an elite level at the majors. However, given more remarkable achievements are within touching distance, his enduring intensity is understandable.
“I don't want to approach that finals in any more relaxed way than I have previous ones, meaning the intention needs to be clear. Goal and approach will be as serious and professional as it has been always,” Djokovic said of Sunday’s Wimbledon decider.
“Most of the players are probably exhausted a bit physically, mentally, or maybe they don't feel like they can go a step further. But for me, I feel that the job is not finished until I lift the trophy.
“I put myself, again, in that position (to do so). Of course, I'm very thrilled.”