Friday 27 / December / 2024
London: On court Novak Djokovic is taking tennis to extraordinary new levels with his single-minded obsession with winning; off it the Serbian is more than happy to share power.
The 29-year-old will begin his attempt to win a fourth Wimbledon title on Monday when he plays British wildcard James Ward on Centre Court -- 12 months after claiming a second successive title by beating Roger Federer.
While nothing will distract him from that goal, the dominant Serbian also knows that, however big the gap is between himself and his rivals -- and it is a yawning chasm -- no player is bigger than the sport.
At his pre-tournament news conference at Wimbledon on Sunday, the world number one confirmed he had re-joined the 12-man ATP Players' Council, along with chief rival Andy Murray and Murray's brother Jamie, the world's top doubles player.
It is a responsibility Djokovic will apply himself to with the same devotion as his career for the next two years as tennis wrestles with the kind of doping and corruption scandals that have afflicted world sport.
"I've been very flattered and humbled to be elected by my colleagues," Djokovic told reporters.
"The way I see it is that I managed to gain trust from players, which is very important to me. I have been part of the Player Council for three years earlier in my career. I've been familiar with the way the system works.
"I'm hoping I can contribute to the evolution and to the betterment of our sport in every aspect."
There is little argument that he has taken tennis to new levels of perfection since losing to Murray in the 2013 final here.
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Since then he has won six of the 11 grand slam titles on offer, taking his tally to 12 overall.
In beating Murray at Roland Garros earlier this month he became the first man in 47 years to hold all four majors.
He also won the ATP World Tour Finals in November and will have his eye on Olympic gold in August and probably the Davis Cup too.
His immediate focus though is on a smooth opening to his Wimbledon campaign having chosen again not to play any grasscourt tournaments in the run-up.
"This year is quite different from previous years because I'm coming in with a Roland Garros title," he said.
"That gives me, obviously, a lot of confidence. I've played a lot of points in the practice sessions these four or five days, trying to be on the grass as much as I can. So I'm really keen on getting on the court."
Djokovic, who beat Federer in the last two Wimbledon finals, could face a tough path to a hat-trick.
Big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic is a potential quarter-final opponent with Federer possible in the semis.
Ward is unlikely to pose too many problems, although Djokovic is well aware that the crowd will be rooting for his opponent when play begins on Monday.
"It's going to be the first match on the untouched grass," he said. " That's probably one of the most special tennis matches that you get to experience as a tennis player.
"I'm looking forward to that. Obviously I know that he doesn't have much to lose."
No pressure for Serena
Serena Williams gave little away on Sunday as she assessed her chances of retaining her Wimbledon title -- and dismissed suggestions that she is under any pressure.
The 34-year-old American has not struck a ball competitively since losing to Spain's Garbine Muguruza in the French Open final on June 4 - a defeat that frustrated her hopes of matching Steffi Graf's professional era record of 22 grand slam titles.
Considering she also fell at the final hurdle in Australia against Angelique Kerber and went out of the U.S. Open semi-finals last year when two wins away from a calendar grand slam, Williams would be forgiven for feeling a little edgy.
But she was hiding any tension well to the world's media on the eve of the tournament.
"I don't feel any pressure. I feel good and confident," she said at the All England Club where she has won six singles titles, one more than her older sister Venus.
Williams never feels the need to play grasscourt warm-up tournaments, preferring instead to hit on the hardcourts back home before arriving in the week before the tournament. It is a tried and tested formula.
"I got here, I think, on Monday. So I've had a lot of time on the grass. I did the same preparation, and it seems to work," said Williams, who starts her campaign on Tuesday against 148th ranked Swiss qualifier Amra Sadikovic.
Asked if she has found out anything about Sadikovic, she said: "Not yet. But normally, my coach obviously does a lot of research, or the most that he can, then we go from there.
"Honestly, it doesn't matter who I play. It doesn't matter to me."
While her approach is nonchalant, there are some who feel Williams' struggle to match Graf's record is playing on her mind.
"It's not easy to try to do what she's doing, to make history at this stage," three-times Wimbledon champion John McEnroe said in the build-up.
Another former champion Chris Evert reckons Williams is still the favourite but says other players are seeing a chink in her armour as she gets older.
"In the last few years, she's been good enough at 60 percent to 70 percent to win matches," said the American, who will be commentating for the ESPN network along with McEnroe.
"Now I don't think it's going to win matches for her. The competition has gotten better. They're less intimidated by her. They know she's human. They've seen a couple of bad losses."
