Former world No 1 warns ‘never rule out’ Novak Djokovic as Serb plots comeback

Former world No 1 Ana Ivanovic has warned that no one should “rule out” Novak Djokovic despite a tricky 2024 season to date.

Djokovic is yet to win a title in 2024 and was forced out of the French Open – where he was the defending champion – due to a meniscus tear, withdrawing from his quarter-final versus Casper Ruud.

It was widely expected that the 24-time Grand Slam champion would be forced to skip Wimbledon and potentially the Olympic Games due to his recovery from surgery on his knee.

However, Djokovic has been on site at the All England Club, and the world No 2 has said he will play the event should he feel he can contend for the title.

Any withdrawal is likely to come before Friday’s draw, with world No 2 Djokovic currently set to be the second seed at the event.

All eyes will be on whether the seven-time Wimbledon champion plays or not, but if he does decide to withdraw, he should still be fit for Paris 2024 and then his US Open title defence.

And Ivanovic, the 2008 French Open champion, believes it is unwise for anyone to discount her fellow Serb from more success.

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Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport , she said: “You can never rule him out.

“Despite the latest injury, I know he will return to form and can definitely win more Grand Slam tournaments in the coming years.”

Djokovic won three of the four Grand Slam titles on offer last season, only beaten by Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final, and ended the year as the world No 1 for a record eighth time.

However, before his French Open injury, he was beaten by Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-final – and has since lost his world No 1 ranking to the Italian.

After falling down to world No 3 after Paris, he returned to world No 2 after Alcaraz was unable to defend his title at the Queen’s Club Championships last week.

Should he play at SW19, he would be one of the heavy favourites to claim the title, with his seven men’s singles titles at the tournament only beaten by Roger Federer in the Open Era.

“I didn’t come here to play a few rounds,” said Djokovic, speaking earlier this week at Aorangi Park.

“You can never really know 100 percent once you start a tournament what’s going to happen after the first match or second match.

“That’s why I came here earlier and to see how it goes. Many people think it’s maybe not realistic or maybe not smart, but I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t get permission from the medical team. They are very happy with the way everything is going so I’m taking things gradually.

“I’m not pushing myself yet 100% but I’m hoping that’s going to come within the next few days.”

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