“I haven’t come here to play a few rounds,” Novak Djokovic gives stern warning to opponents before Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic will bid for an eighth Wimbledon title.

“I haven’t come here to play a few rounds,” Novak Djokovic gives stern warning to opponents before Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic (Via Imago)

World No. 2 Novak Djokovic has issued a significant warning to his fellow competitors ahead of Wimbledon. The Serbian is aiming to win his eighth Wimbledon title and 25th Grand Slam overall.

Despite not arriving at Wimbledon with the best preparation, Djokovic insists that he should not be underestimated by anyone over the next fortnight. He made these comments during a pre-Wimbledon tournament press conference.

YouTube video
I'm 37 years old, maybe you want to take less risks and prepare for the Olympic Games. I have the feeling of not missing a Grand Slam as long as I can play, as long as I'm active and at this level. I wouldn't call it a fear of missing out, just an incredible desire to play, to compete. Especially because it's Wimbledon, the tournament that has always been a dream for me.
Novak Djokovic said in the pre-Wimbledon press conference (H/T: Punto de Break)

Djokovic sustained a meniscus tear in the fourth round of this year’s Roland Garros. Following his withdrawal from the quarter-finals, the Serbian has been focused on recovery and has regularly updated his progress on social media.

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The simple idea of missing Wimbledon was not right, I didn't want to deal with it. I'm going through this knee injury for the first time in my life. I wanted to see how quickly I could recover and be in a position to compete in best of five on grass against the best in the world. I haven't come here to play a few rounds.
Novak Djokovic added

Due to concerns about Djokovic’s fitness, many have not considered him the favorite for Wimbledon. Top seed Jannik Sinner is currently seen as the favorite for the title, with Carlos Alcaraz just behind him.

Jacob Fearnley targets Wimbledon matchup with Novak Djokovic

Jacob Fearnley, a recent college graduate, is on the brink of facing Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon after earning a wildcard by winning his first ATP Challenger title in Nottingham. The 22-year-old Scot defeated several opponents, including Charles Broom in the final, which boosted his world ranking significantly and secured him a spot at Eastbourne International.

Jacob Fearnley
Jacob Fearnley (Via Imago)
It has opened a lot of doors for me and I'm supremely grateful. When I saw that, I was obviously excited to play firstly whoever I got, but obviously it is a good draw to get first round and I definitely have a chance.
Jacob Fearnley said in an interview with BBC

At Eastbourne, Fearnley lost to Billy Harris in his ATP tour debut, but his strong performance highlighted his potential. Now, he faces Alejandro Moro Canas in Wimbledon’s first round, aiming to advance to a potential match against Djokovic, pending the Serb’s fitness after injury.

Fearnley’s journey mirrors that of Cameron Norrie, moving from college tennis to professional success. His recent achievements have drawn comparisons to British tennis stars like Andy Murray and Greg Rusedski, making him one of the few Britons to win the Nottingham Open.

With the prospect of meeting Djokovic looming, Fearnley sees this as a crucial opportunity in his emerging career. His previous wildcard entry at Wimbledon led to success in doubles, and now he eyes a similar impact in singles, aware of the potential to make a name for himself alongside fellow Scots Norrie and Murray in the tournament’s draw.

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