Novak Djokovic aims to equal Roger Federer's eight Wimbledon titles and pursue a record 25th Grand Slam, entering the tournament at age 39.
Former British champion Greg Rusedski expressed confidence that Djokovic could be a joint favorite alongside defending champion Jannik Sinner, especially given recent developments.
Sinner, the world number one, survived a five‑set challenge in his opening match, rallying from two sets down to defeat Miomir Kecmanovic and demonstrating his resilience.
Last year Sinner claimed the Wimbledon crown by beating Carlos Alcaraz, who is absent this year due to injury, leaving the field without his primary rival.
Bookmakers list Sinner as the clear favorite for a fifth Grand Slam title, but Rusedski argued that Djokovic remains a serious contender.
Djokovic began his campaign with a hard‑fought victory over Wu Yibing, showing the form that carried him to recent successes.
Rusedski highlighted Djokovic's recent win over Sinner at the Australian Open and his strong start against Alcaraz in that final, underscoring his ability to defeat top opponents.
He noted that with Alcaraz out, Djokovic needs only to overcome one of the remaining top players to position himself for a historic 25th major, comparing the milestone to Nadal’s French Open record.
Rusedski also pointed to Djokovic’s adaptability on grass, his lack of need for warm‑up matches, and his comfort in hot conditions, which could favor him in the UK heat.
In the second round, Djokovic will meet Stefanos Tsitsipas, while Sinner faces Nuno Borges; other notable challengers include Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz.
