Patrick McEnroe is standing by his early season prediction that Novak Djokovic won’t secure any Grand Slam titles this year, despite many experts expecting another triumphant season for the tennis legend. McEnroe believes that Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are the “heavy favorites” to win Wimbledon.
In 2023, Djokovic had an exceptional year, winning the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open. However, McEnroe had doubts about Djokovic’s 2024 prospects and predicted that he would not add to his Grand Slam tally. So far, McEnroe’s prediction has been accurate as Djokovic lost in the semi-final of the Australian Open and withdrew from his French Open quarter-final due to a severe knee injury.
Djokovic’s participation at Wimbledon remains uncertain due to his recent surgery. Although he is a seven-time Wimbledon champion, McEnroe considers him a distant third favorite this year behind Alcaraz and Sinner, citing injury concerns and a lack of form.
“My assumption is he [Djokovic] is there practicing, seeing how it feels, seeing how it responds day to day. Clearly, he’s hoping to play,” McEnroe said during an ESPN preview event. “That being said, I’m trying to think if he was 100% healthy what the odds would be, ’cause right now you’ve got Alcaraz and Sinner as heavy favorites.”
McEnroe further explained, “Alcaraz is a slight favorite. Sinner is just right behind him, extremely close. Then there’s a big drop-off with Novak as the third guy. I’m assuming the big drop-off is mostly because of the injury issue.”
Despite Djokovic’s injury woes, McEnroe acknowledges the possibility of Djokovic pulling off a surprise win at Wimbledon, saying, “If there’s one place where he could pull it off with this injury, maybe he could do it. Maybe this is what he needs to inspire him.”
However, McEnroe ultimately believes in the younger players’ chances. “I would still lean towards the two younger guys. I think they’ve both gotten over the hump as far as winning majors,” he said. “It would be interesting if Djokovic could get through a round or two and looks like he’s the Djokovic we’ve come to know at Wimbledon and go for that eighth title. I would still say in my view, I think Alcaraz is the guy, but I think Sinner’s just right there with him.”
Ranked world no.2, the Serbian played his last match on the 3rd of June when he beat world no.27 Francisco Cerundolo 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 in the 4th round of the French Open (draw).
This season Djokovic achieved a composed 18-6 record. Novak Djokovic’s most significant achievement of the year was reaching the semifinal at the Australian Open, Monte Carlo and Geneva.
Novak Djokovic will play the world no.123 Vit Kopriva in the 1st round. In the past, they have never competed against each other until now on the main tour.
Djokovic won 99 titles in his career: 53 on hard courts, 19 on clay courts, 19 on indoor courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Djokovic is scheduled to compete next at the Wimbledon (Wimbledon). He will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 1st of July.
