Novak Djokovic might be forgiven for experiencing a real sense of deja vu as the curtain came down on Wimbledon.
Djokovic is desperate to win a record-equalling eighth crown at the All England Club and tie with Roger Federer.
After losing in the semifinal this year, Djokovic missed out on finals day at SW19 for the first time in seven years.
The 38-year-old is only going to find life tougher to win another Grand Slam with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz now on the scene.
With that in mind, there could be something that Djokovic can look forward to, which might help him stand more of a chance of ending his wait for a 25th major title.
Ranking drop could benefit Novak Djokovic
It seems crazy that a player who has won everything there is to win in tennis, like Djokovic, would need any help to try and get him over the line.
However, with it coming up to two years since he last won one of the game’s big prizes, there is something that would help Djokovic out in the final few years of his career.
Right now, Djokovic sits at number six in the world rankings and perhaps that is exactly what is holding him back when it comes to beating Alcaraz or Sinner.
At Wimbledon, he lost in the semifinal to Sinner just like he did at the French Open and that was largely down to the amount of tennis which he’d played at the tournament.
There is a genuine sense that perhaps slipping down the rankings could actually help Djokovic, given that the draw would mean he’d play one of the two best players in the world earlier.
It sounds crazy to think in such a way but, at this year’s Wimbledon, Djokovic was clearly suffering from fatigue when he faced Sinner and perhaps had he played him earlier, he’d have stood a better chance.
Djokovic can win another Grand Slam title
Even though he’s 38, there’s little doubt that he has got what it takes to win another major title before he inevitably calls time on his career.
Djokovic will need a little bit of luck along the way but there is no doubt that if he gets that, he can undoubtedly get back into the winner’s circle.
Winning 25 Grand Slam titles would be an unreal achievement and it feels highly unlikely that such a number would get broken in the future.
Djokovic would dearly love for his final Grand Slam to come at Wimbledon but given that his last one came in 2023, he might find himself going full steam ahead to try and win the US Open next month.
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