Jannik Sinner has proclaimed that Novak Djokovic will be the clear favourite to win the 2024 Wimbledon Championships if the Serbian plays and is healthy.
The Italian refused to be drawn on whether he was a favourite and spoke about feeling “extra pressure” playing a tournament as the world No 1 for the first time in Halle.
Sinner overcame Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(8), 7-6(2) in the final of the Halle Open on Sunday to claim his maiden title on grass courts.
The 22-year-old dropped a set in each of his first three matches at the ATP 500 event, before earning straight-set victories over Zhizhen Zhang and Hurkacz.
Sinner, who became world No 1 for the first time in his career after the French Open earlier this month, will be the top seed at Wimbledon, which begins on Monday.
The Italian was beaten by seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic in the semi-finals at the All England Club last year. He also lost to the tennis legend in the quarter-finals in 2022 after holding a 2-0 lead in sets.
Jannik Sinner vs Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz: ATP Top 3 state of play ahead of Wimbledon
Wimbledon men’s singles seeds confirmed: Jannik Sinner in top spot, Novak Djokovic above Carlos Alcaraz
World No 3 Carlos Alcaraz is the reigning Wimbledon champion, having dethroned Djokovic in a thrilling five-set final last year.
The 21-year-old Spaniard, who recently won his third Major at Roland Garros, was beaten in the second round of the Queen’s Club Championships last week.
Djokovic has practised at the All England Club, but his participation at the grass-court Grand Slam remains uncertain after he tore his meniscus at the French Open three weeks ago.
In an interview with La Repubblica, Sinner addressed how he feels heading into Wimbledon and assessed the favourites for the title.
“I can be a little more aggressive, understand better how to move. It will be a difficult tournament, but also fun,” the world No 1
“I like Wimbledon: last year I played well and only lost in the semi-final. Let’s see what I can do this year. I will fly to London relatively soon,
I hope to do a good preparation and then we will see how it goes: I will do my best.
“We are all excellent players and there can always be some surprises in a tournament like Wimbledon. So I won’t say whether I’m the favourite or not.
“Djokovic certainly is: if he comes back, if he is fit, he is clearly the favourite. Alcaraz won last year, [Alexander] Zverev is playing very well. We see. It will be a very interesting tournament.”
Sinner was also asked about the experience of playing a tournament the top-ranked player in the world in Halle.
“It was different, yes, you can feel the extra pressure,” Sinner said. “Everyone wants to beat you in every game you play because you are No 1, but then when you step onto the pitch you don’t think about it, you only think about playing and winning.
“It was difficult here against Hurkacz, it’s a surface where there are few decisive points and it’s important to win those. But in my opinion, I played an excellent match.”
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