Returning to winning ways with a straight sets win over Vasek Pospisil in Eastbourne on Wednesday, Novak Djokovic is relishing his current status ahead of Wimbledon.
In a rare move, the former world No.1 is participating in an event the week before the grass-court major for only the third time in his career. The decision was prompted after his roller coaster clay-court season. At the French Open, Djokovic crashed out in the quarter-finals to Austria’s Dominic Thiem, losing the final set 6-0. Since winning the Doha Open at the start of the year, he has failed to win another title.
Reflecting upon his form going into the third grand slam of the season, the 30-year-old is enjoying a reduction in the pressure and expectation surrounding him.
“I was very fortunate and privileged to have so much success in the last eight, nine years, and entered most of the tournaments as one of the biggest favourites to win it,” the three-time Wimbledon champion said on Wednesday.
“For a change it’s good to not be one of the top favourites. It is liberating a bit, it releases a bit of the pressure.
“But the pressure is always there, you still feel it. It’s part of who I am, what I do.”
Guiding Djokovic at Wimbledon will be Andre Agassi, whom he started a trial collaboration with at the French Open. Unlike the French Open, Agassi will stay at the tournament for as long as Djokovic is still participating.
“It was very interesting to hear what he sees with things moving forward, to improve and try to get back on the level desired. How long it’s going to take, I don’t know. I still like playing. So as long as it’s like that, I will keep on going.” The world No.4 said about working with the 47-year-old.
Heading into next week’s tournament, Djokovic received a boost when the seeds were announced. Wimbledon’s unique calculations take into account players’ performances on the grass over the past two years. As a result, the former champion has been elevated to second in the draw. Djokovic has been a top-three seed at every Wimbledon draw since 2010.
“I want to thank Wimbledon for getting me two spots ahead than I’m actually ranked. So it’s probably due to also the good results I have had in the last three, four years in Wimbledon,” he said.
“Whether it helps or not, I can’t say at the moment. It doesn’t make too much of a difference other than I’m not going to potentially meet (top seed) Andy (Murray) in semis rather than finals, but it’s too far away.”
Djokovic will be hoping for a better run at the grand slam than last year, when he was knocked out in the third round by America’s Sam Querrey. It was his earliest Wimbledon exit since 2008.
Prior to next week, the Serbian continues his Eastbourne campaign on Thursday when he will play Donald Young in the quarterfinals.
