London: Novak Djokovic is preparing for a one-man battle to preserve the legacy of Wimbledon’s golden generation in the face of a more successful new wave led by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
However, they will be pitted against the seven-time champion and 24-time Grand Slam champion when the tournament begins on Monday.
The 37-year-old Serbian, who recently underwent knee surgery in London and last year’s champion Alcaraz, has been eyeing his 2024 Grand Slam push.
Sinner, the Australian Open champion, is tied for world number one with the Italian.
Djokovic saw the French Open crown go to Alcaraz after pulling out of Paris suffering from a torn meniscus in his right knee.
If Djokovic equals Roger Federer’s record eight Wimbledon titles, he will become the oldest champion of all time.
“I have an incredible desire to play, just to compete,” said Djokovic, who will open against the Czech Republic’s 123rd-ranked Vit Kopriva on Tuesday.
“Just thought losing Wimbledon wasn’t right.”
With Federer now retired, Rafael Nadal out of the tournament to focus on the Paris Olympics and Andy Murray playing after back surgery, change is definitely in the air in southwest London. German world number four Alexander Zverev on Saturday predicted this year’s Wimbledon will be “the most open in 20 years”.
