LONDON: Three-time grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka believes Novak Djokovic will be one of the main contenders for the Wimbledon title next month.
Djokovic, who will take on Grigor Dimitrov in the second round at Queen’s on Thursday, is yet to reach a final on the tour this season. The Serbian took six months off last year due to a right elbow injury. Since returning back to the tour, he has made steady progress with his results. Reaching the semifinals of the Rome Masters before making the last eight at the French Open.
“I feel that in the last three tournaments basically my level of my tennis has improved and I start to feel comfortable with my game, in general. I can actually finally focus on my game, which I wasn’t doing 100% because I had to think more or less every time I stepped on the court about the elbow or other things that might occur.” Djokovic said after his first round win At The Fever-Tree Championships.
Next month the 31-year-old will be seeking his fourth Wimbledon title and first since 2015. Leading up to the grass-court major he has remained coy about his expectations. Referring to defending champion Roger Federer as the ‘first favorite.’ Despite Djokovic’s reservations, Wawrinka has backed him to challenge for the trophy.
“I think he has a big chance. He’s playing well.” Said Wawrinka. “He always loves to play on the grass. Always been a strong player to play on the grass. If he’s 100% and ready, he’s going to be tough to beat.”
Wawrinka and Djokovic teamed up this week to compete in the men’s doubles at Queen’s. It is at the tournament where Djokovic won his first and so far only ATP doubles title back in 2010. Unfortunately for the pairing they bowed out in the first round. Losing to lucky losers Wesley Koolhof and Marcus Daniell.
“It’s always fun. He’s a great friend. We have a lot of things to talk (about). It was not the best match, but it was good.” The Swiss N.2 commented about their performance.
The return of Murray
Earlier this week Andy Murray played his first match for 11 months. The Brit has been sidelined from action due to a hip injury, which required surgery in January. His return was halted by Nick Kyrgios, who triumphed 2-6, 7-6(4), 7-5, in their first round match.
Wawrinka knows all too well the frustrations experienced by both Djokovic and Murray. For him, it was a knee injury that kept him off the court for an extended time. Including a three-month rehabilitation period earlier this year.
“The first match I think he was for sure moving, playing well, knowing that he’s been away for a year.” He said of Murray.
“If I take my experience, what’s important is how he’s going to be the next match he’s going to play, when he’s going to play, how it’s going to feel, because yesterday (Tuesday) was a kind of different match.”
It remains up in the air if Murray will play in his home grand slam at SW19. His match against Kyrgios lasted two hours and 41 minutes. Longer than his average 90-minute practice sessions he has been conducting in recent weeks. Raising questions about if he will be fit enough to play best-of-five set tennis next month.
“When you come back from injury, there is things that you have to follow. There are rules from your doctor or from your physio fitness team. When you come back from so far, you cannot just start suddenly and say, ‘okay, I’m going to practice three hours in a row.’” Wawrinka explained.
It is unclear as to where Murray will play his next match. Meanwhile, Wawrinka will continue his Wimbledon preparations after losing to Sam Querrey in three sets in the second round at Queen’s.
