Novak Djokovic ‘has to be Wimbledon favourite’ believes former world number one
Lleyton Hewitt claims Novak Djokovic will be feeling “pretty confident” ahead of Wimbledon as he labelled the Serbian as “the favourite” for the title.
The world number three has had an extremely difficult season so far, with the Serbian being forced to miss the ‘Sunshine Double’ events as well as the Australian Open due to his vaccination status.
In addition, Djokovic also suffered a disappointing result at the Monte Carlo Masters as well as losing in his home city in the final of the Serbia Open to world number eight Andrey Rublev.
Despite winning the Rome Masters for a record-extending 38th Masters title win, Djokovic fell short in the hunt for a 21st Grand Slam title as he lost to eventual champion Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals of the French Open.
Despite Djokovic’s turbulent season so far, the Serb head’s to London to defend his 2021 Slam victory as the leading contender for the title according to former Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt.
Speaking in a recent interview, the Australian great told reporters that Novak Djokovic “has to be the favourite” heading into SW19 in 2022.
“(Nadal’s lead) is probably not decisive but I don’t think Rafa’s thinking about that too much anyway
“I think he’s just grateful he’s still able to go out there and play to the level he wants to play at, and it’s still good enough.
“We’re pretty fortunate that we’ve been able to see someone like Rafa play for so long so I think, every opportunity we get to watch him for however long it is, we should really appreciate it.
“Obviously this year has been pretty tough for Novak. But his record at Wimbledon, his game style, he has to be the favourite going into it.
“But I think some of the young guys are going to be tough and they’re going to push him. There was probably only Rafa that was going to beat him at the French Open so I think he’ll be feeling pretty confident going into Wimbledon.”
Hewitt was speaking ahead of the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic at the Hurlingham Club, where both Nadal and Djokovic are scheduled to play as well.
“Back when I was a player I used to go out and play my matches and I’d see all the old boys in the locker room warming up and doing their stretches and we’d have a bit of banter, and now I’m one of those guys. said the 41-year-old.
“It’ll be fun. It’s a very prestigious club.”
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