In a week where the seeds have been dropping like flies at Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic is safely through to round two of the competition.
The first Monday of Wimbledon isn’t notorious for being considered Manic Monday, but in 2025, an exception might have to be made.
Day one saw Holger Rune and Daniil Medvedev go tumbling out of the tournament, with number three seed Alexander Zverev and number eight seed Lorenzo Musetti following suit on Tuesday.
Djokovic remains on course for Wimbledon crown number eight, however, with Roger Federer’s record at the All England Club firmly in his sights.
He came through a four-set match with Alexandre Muller in relatively straightforward style, although he will want to get better as he progresses through the tournament this year.
Novak Djokovic says how he feels about Aryna Sabalenka
The two players developed a friendly rivalry at the French Open last month, with each player firing jovial pop shots at each other as they progressed through the rounds.
Now, Djokovic has been quizzed on that relationship with Sabalenka after he got the chance to practice with her at Wimbledon before the tournament got underway.
He said in his press conference: “It was the first time I got to hit with Aryna. Basically, the way I see it all, the success she has from this moment onwards, the biggest credit goes to me!
“Jokes aside, we have a really good relationship. I know she has a great team of people around her, a great support system, and it’s not a surprise that she has been doing so well.
“I love the personality and how she balances off-court interest, and her character really comes out and also on the court being so fierce as a competitor. She deserves to be where she is, number one in the world; she has been so consistent.
“We had a little chat after the training sessions. She asked me a couple of questions and, of course, I am very happy to share with anybody as I was doing with a lot of the other male tennis players, mostly.
“What we talk about stays between us, but I hope it can serve them as a great, even if it’s just an encouragement or something they have heard before, but hearing it from me, maybe sounds different.
“So, I am honoured to be in a position where the number one in the world comes to me and asks me some questions, advice and guidance.
“It’s a very privileged position to be in, so I always try to be available.”
Djokovic and Sabalenka look like fanciful winners at Wimbledon
It’s hard to ever rule out Djokovic from winning Wimbledon, given his superb record at the tournament.
For a while, it looked as though he’d not only beat Federer’s record at SW19 but completely obliterate it.
However, as the Swiss superstar found it, the competition becomes fiercer as the years go by, and with Carlos Alcaraz in formidable form, Djokovic is stuck on seven titles.
Sabalenka has seen Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula go out of Wimbledon and she looks on course for another Grand Slam title.
She’s reached two finals this year in the major events and perhaps her session practicing with Djokovic can help her end the hoodoo and get over the line at Wimbledon.
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