“The pressure is all on him [among the Australians], and deservedly so. I think pressure is a privilege, and he is embracing that now. He knows how to deal with it,” Dokic said.
“He won in ’s-Hertogenbosch leading into it, and I don’t think a loss here and there is anything to worry about. He will be a really high seed, and he’ll be looking to make the second week.
“He had a heartbreaking loss a few years ago when he had match points [against Cristian Garin] to get into the quarter-finals, but I think he’s primed and ready to do really well. He’s got a game for grass – he’s more aggressive, he’s a much more mature player, and he comes forward so well now as well.”
Dokic said de Minaur’s improved physicality and the belief he had gained from consistently beating top-10 rivals, including Djokovic when he was No.1 at this year’s United Cup, was the catalyst for his ascent in the rankings.
She is tipping Sinner and Sabalenka to repeat their Melbourne Park triumphs on Wimbledon’s grass, but is also bullish about the chances of Australians Ajla Tomljanovic and Jordan Thompson.
Tomljanovic advanced to the quarter-finals at the grasscourt major in 2021 and 2022 and played off in the Birmingham final on Sunday, while Thompson is also accomplished on the surface and made it to the Queen’s Club semis.
Dokic considers Tomljanovic a “dark horse” to make another deep run at SW-19 despite a limited lead-in after uterine surgery in February.
“Sometimes you need the luck of the draw, so we’ll see how the draw turns out, but you’ve just got to go with that confidence,” Dokic said.
“They’ve now had those matches on grass under their belt – nothing can replace that – so they’ve definitely got the confidence. Jordan won his first title this year as well, and Ajla has done a good job coming back from injuries and is so dangerous on grass.
“She really has one of those really dangerous games. She’s a flatter hitter, she’s got a big game, and a big backhand that she causes so many problems with for a lot of other players.”
As for Dokic’s fairytale debut at Wimbledon in 1999, she retains fond memories.
“I was just a 16-year-old playing qualifying. I came out of juniors, was just starting on the pro tour, and I remember it was quite special to play qualifying,” she said.
Loading
“But then [I made] the last round of qualifying and there was pressure there – I really wanted to make it to the main draw, and once I did, it’s [even more] special. It’s something that you remember forever.
“You walk through the gates of Wimbledon, and it’s just something amazing. I had some of my best results [there], and some of my best memories, and I’m excited to even call it [for Nine] in a few days.”