Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has arrived at the All England Club with a singular mission: to reclaim his Wimbledon crown and erase the sting of his 2025 French Open semifinal loss to Jannik Sinner. The 38-year-old Serbian, a seven-time Wimbledon winner, received a stirring endorsement from his former coach Boris Becker, who expressed unwavering belief in Djokovic’s ability to defy the odds. “You should never underestimate Novak Djokovic, he’s always a very fierce competitor, he always has something up his sleeve,” Becker declared, reflecting on their time together from 2013 to 2016, which yielded six major titles. As Wimbledon 2025 kicks off on June 30, Djokovic’s pursuit of a record-equalling eighth men’s singles title promises to ignite the grass courts, with the tennis world watching to see if the Serbian legend can turn back time.
## A Painful Farewell in Paris
Djokovic’s French Open campaign ended in an emotional 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) defeat to world number one Jannik Sinner on June 6, 2025. The straight-sets loss on Court Philippe-Chatrier, where Djokovic has triumphed three times, felt like a potential farewell. After the match, he paused to touch the clay and wave to the crowd, admitting, “This could have been the last match ever I played here, so I don’t know. That’s why it was a bit more emotional at the end.” Despite a valiant effort, including a contested line call that could have given him a set point in the third, Djokovic struggled against Sinner’s relentless pressure. “I felt constantly under pressure, and he didn’t allow me to have time to swing through the ball,” he said, acknowledging the 23-year-old Italian’s dominance.
The defeat marked a challenging 2025 for Djokovic, who also retired from the Australian Open semifinals due to a hamstring injury and suffered early exits in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Indian Wells. Yet, a glimmer of resurgence came at the Geneva ATP 250, where he claimed his 100th career title against Hubert Hurkacz, boosting his confidence. “It was good that I got four matches under my belt, won a title,” Djokovic said. “Coming into Roland Garros, it feels different than compared to the feeling I had three weeks ago.” Becker, who coached Djokovic to Wimbledon titles in 2014 and 2015, sees this as a turning point, noting, “The semifinal reached by Novak Djokovic at 2025 Roland Garros has shown the whole world that the Serbian legend is still competitive.”
## Becker’s Belief and Wimbledon Hopes
Becker, a three-time Wimbledon champion himself, remains a vocal supporter of Djokovic, whom he considers “like a younger brother.” His reaction to Djokovic’s Wimbledon arrival was one of optimism, tempered by realism about the challenges ahead. “Novak Djokovic knows pretty much everything about tennis. So, who can he talk to that knows more?” Becker mused, highlighting the difficulty of coaching a player with 24 Grand Slams. The recent split with Andy Murray, Djokovic’s coach since November 2024, surprised Becker, who was “lost for words” at the timing before Roland Garros. “I thought it would be an advantage for Novak to have Andy in his corner,” he said, citing Murray’s Wimbledon expertise. Despite the coaching change, Becker believes Djokovic’s experience and hunger will shine on grass, where he’s reached every final since 2018.
Wimbledon, where Djokovic hasn’t lost outside the final since 2016, is his “childhood favourite tournament.” He affirmed, “I’m going to do everything possible to get myself ready,” eyeing a record-tying eighth title to match Roger Federer. His grass court prowess, fueled by a stellar serve and tactical acumen, makes him a formidable contender despite his world number six ranking. “I guess my best chances maybe are Wimbledon, you know, to win another Slam,” he said, a sentiment echoed by tennis journalist Steve Flink, who believes Djokovic’s “sole purpose” is to claim a 25th major, surpassing Margaret Court’s record.
## Facing a New Generation
Djokovic faces a daunting field, led by Carlos Alcaraz, who defeated him in the last two Wimbledon finals, and Sinner, who’s won 20 straight Grand Slam matches. Alcaraz, fresh off his 250th win at Queen’s Club and a French Open title, is the favorite, while Sinner’s backhand dominance poses a threat. “I think he has tennis left in him, but he has to be realistic,” Becker cautioned, acknowledging the rise of younger stars. Yet, Djokovic’s history of defying doubters—evident in his 2024 Olympic gold over Alcaraz—suggests he thrives under pressure. “He often thrives when people are doubting him the most,” Flink noted.
## The Road Ahead
As Wimbledon unfolds, live on ESPN and BBC, Djokovic’s quest will captivate fans. His 41-shot rally win against Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros showed his fight remains intact, and a favorable draw could see him face Zverev again in the quarterfinals. With 1,375 career matches and a 91.7% win rate under Becker’s tutelage, Djokovic’s legacy is secure, but his hunger for more is palpable. “This is the only sport where the fans are always behind you,” he said, drawing strength from the Centre Court crowd. As one X user posted, “Djokovic at Wimbledon with something to prove—Becker’s right, never count him out!” With Becker’s backing, Djokovic is poised to chase history, one match at a time.
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