Djokovic needs Wimbledon win to salvage reputation
Novak Djokovic’s reputation in the tennis world has taken a hit in 2022 due to his spat with the Australian government that resulted in his ban from the Australian Open. He took a huge step towards restoring his grace with fans of the sport with a brilliant contest against Rafael Nadal at the French Open, although he came out on the wrong side of the result. His next challenge at Wimbledon will provide arguably the toughest test of where he stands in the opinion of tennis supporters.
Only Roger Federer has won more titles at the All England Club than Djokovic, but the Serb can get close to the Swiss should he triumph in 2022. He is backed in the odds for tennis betting online at 11/10 to win Wimbledon for a seventh time, and given his recent form at the venue he appears to be a sound wager. However, there are a number of talented players on the rise along with Nadal, who has lost none of his vigor. Checking out the latest Wimbledon odds to monitor his value could be a prudent option. Djokovic is the master at the All England Club and has not lost a match at Wimbledon since 2017, therefore, he will be incredibly difficult to stop.
Nadal used all his nous and ability on clay to defeat Djokovic, but it is a different story on grass in recent history. Djokovic beat Nadal in their last match at Wimbledon in 2018 in the semi-finals along with his triumph in 2011 in the final. However, Nadal had won their previous two contests on the surface, albeit long before the Serb was the player he has grown to become. A contest between Djokovic and Nadal would be a mouthwatering prospect, and the Spaniard is likely to be his biggest obstacle in pursuit of a fourth-straight title at the All England Club.
Daniil Medvedev’s suspension from Wimbledon has removed a significant opponent from the reckoning. The Russian was outstanding to defeat Djokovic at Flushing Meadows in the US Open, winning in straight sets. The 25-year-old was on his way to clinching back-to-back crowns before Nadal produced a sensational comeback in the Australian Open to beat Medvedev. Without his presence in the draw along with Andrey Rublev, Djokovic may have a clear path to the latter stages of the tournament, considering his seeding, which is likely to be number one given his record.
Winning matches in the right manner might be more important for Djokovic than winning the tournament given his standing in the world at the moment. He has been outspoken about not being as lauded as Federer and Nadal on the court, while his behavior off it has posed severe problems for his reputation, none more so than his exploits in Australia. Although he has won as many crowns as Federer, he has not been as beloved as the Swiss. A return to form at the peak of his powers to delight the crowd at All England Club would be a step in the right direction in returning to the good graces of supporters. As he approaches the back nine of his career, he may need a victory at Wimbledon more than ever.
