Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis titan with 24 Grand Slam titles, stands on the cusp of history as he aims to surpass Margaret Court’s record and claim a record-breaking 25th major. At 37, the road to that milestone is fraught with challenges, from injuries to a formidable new generation led by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Yet, as the 2025 Wimbledon Championships loom, former ATP pros John Isner and Steve Johnson have united in a bold prediction: the All England Club’s hallowed grass courts offer Djokovic his best shot at etching his name deeper into the annals of tennis greatness.
Djokovic’s 2024 season was a rare stumble, marking his first year without a Grand Slam title since 2017. Despite reaching the Wimbledon final, he fell to Alcaraz in a rematch of their 2023 epic, a loss compounded by a knee injury that tested his resilience. His sole triumph came at the Paris Olympics, where he outlasted Alcaraz to claim gold, a testament to his enduring brilliance. In 2025, Djokovic has shown flashes of his old magic, reaching the Miami Open final in March with a commanding 83% first-serve percentage in one match. However, injuries, including a withdrawal from the Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev, have limited him to a 12-6 record across six tournaments. Now, with Andy Murray as his coach, Djokovic is recalibrating for the grass-court season, and Isner and Johnson see Wimbledon as his prime opportunity.
Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast with Sam Querrey, Isner, a former world No. 8 known for his thunderous serve, pinpointed Wimbledon and the US Open as Djokovic’s final windows for a 25th Slam. “I hope I’m wrong here, but it seems like he has two chances left in his career to win a Grand Slam, and that’s at Wimbledon and the US Open,” Isner said. He acknowledged Djokovic’s age and the physical toll of elite competition but highlighted his meticulous self-care. “We know how well he takes care of his body, but it just seems like 2025 is his last opportunity to win a Slam. It’s either going to happen at Wimbledon or the US Open.” Isner emphasized Djokovic’s serving prowess, noting, “If he can serve over 65% first serves at Wimbledon, he can certainly win that tournament this year.” A standout Miami performance, where Djokovic hit 83% first serves, bolsters Isner’s confidence, even if sustaining that level is a tall order.
Steve Johnson, a former top-25 player who faced Djokovic’s relentless precision, echoed Isner’s focus on Wimbledon, citing the physical demands of clay as a barrier at the French Open. “I don’t think the French Open is going to be for him,” Johnson said. “Wimbledon would be his best chance if he can… get to the end of the two weeks with a bit more juice in his step.” Wimbledon’s faster grass suits Djokovic’s game—his pinpoint serve, fluid movement, and tactical acumen have yielded seven titles, tying Pete Sampras for the second-most among men, one shy of Roger Federer’s record. An eighth crown in 2025 would not only break his tie with Court but also match Federer’s Wimbledon mark.
Djokovic’s path won’t be easy. Alcaraz, the two-time defending Wimbledon champion, and Sinner, the world No. 1 who claimed the 2024 Australian and US Opens, are peaking. Emerging talents like Jack Draper and veterans like Zverev add depth to the field. Yet, Djokovic’s mental fortitude and grass-court mastery make him a perennial threat. His recent training sessions, overseen by Murray, show a player hungry to reclaim his throne. “I still feel I can compete with these young guys,” Djokovic said after Miami, a defiance rooted in a career of defying odds.
Isner and Johnson’s prediction carries weight, born from their battles against Djokovic’s unrelenting style. They see Wimbledon’s unique conditions as his edge, where experience and serving precision could outwit younger rivals. As Djokovic prepares for the clay swing before turning to grass, the tennis world watches, wondering if the Serbian legend has one more masterpiece left. With Murray’s strategic guidance and a legacy on the line, Wimbledon 2025 could be where Djokovic cements his claim as the greatest of all time—or where time finally catches up.
Leave a Reply