Wimbledon: Djokovic’s temperament backed, Serena comeback improbable

By Sanjay Menon — 27 June 2026 — 6 min read

Ahead of Wimbledon 2026, which is set to commence on Monday, Indian tennis legend Vijay Amritraj shared his insights on various topics, including the prospects of Novak Djokovic and the likelihood of a successful comeback for Serena Williams. Amritraj, a JioStar expert, spoke during a JioStar Media Day event.

Amritraj, who twice reached the quarterfinals of the grass-court Major in 1973 and 1981, noted that Ramesh Krishnan in 1986 is the only other Indian to have advanced as far in singles at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club during the Open Era. His deep connection to the tournament often leads him to share his perspectives candidly.

Djokovic’s enduring temperament and Wimbledon prospects

Regarding the men’s competition, Amritraj addressed whether Novak Djokovic’s era of dominance might be concluding, especially with younger players now securing Grand Slam titles. He acknowledged that many players now feel they have a legitimate chance against top contenders like Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, or Jannik Sinner, particularly in challenging conditions such as heat.

However, Amritraj emphasized that Djokovic has consistently remained at the top of the sport, unlike Serena Williams, who took a break. He highlighted Djokovic’s exceptional mental capacity and incredible temperament as key factors. Given his extensive success, Djokovic is often seen as the favourite when matches become intense. The main challenge for Djokovic, according to Amritraj, lies in recovering after playing multiple long five-set matches, which becomes more difficult with age.

Djokovic, at 39 years old, arrived at the All England Club on Monday to begin his preparations for another Wimbledon. He engaged in practice sessions on the grass courts of Aorangi Park, focusing on movement exercises and sparring with hitting partners. His training included a session with his long-time friend Marin Cilic and later practicing on Court No 1 with the world No 1, Jannik Sinner.

His ultimate goal remains to become the oldest Grand Slam singles champion in history by winning an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title. While his chances may naturally decrease with each tournament at his age, Djokovic has consistently demonstrated his capability to capitalize if circumstances align for him during the two-week event. His 2026 season has illustrated his current standing, with astounding performances in terms of pure tennis level, such as his run to the Australian Open final where he defeated Jannik Sinner in a five-set semifinal, though he ultimately lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

The period following the Australian Open has underscored the difficulty of maintaining consistent high-level competition. Between February and May, Djokovic faced health issues, playing only once and losing in the fourth round of Indian Wells to Jack Draper. His preparation for Roland Garros was also affected, as he lost his opening match in Rome to Dino Prizmic, the world No 79. In Paris, despite playing well for significant portions of his third-round match and leading by two sets against João Fonseca, he could not sustain the physicality required for a tough five-set encounter.

Maintaining his physical condition throughout a demanding two-week Grand Slam or an entire season is a significant challenge for Djokovic at his age. Wimbledon, where he has won seven times, is considered a likely venue for him to secure another Grand Slam title. The grass courts, with their shorter points, allow Djokovic to leverage his precise serve, net play, and aggressive first-strike tennis, which suits his current physical state.

Serena Williams’ improbable comeback

When questioned about Serena Williams’ return to tennis at the age of 44, Amritraj drew an analogy to Muhammad Ali’s comeback in boxing. He stated that while Serena has achieved unparalleled success in women’s tennis, time is an undeniable factor. He questioned what would motivate her to return at 44 against younger opponents, suggesting that a performance similar to her past achievements would be a significant long shot.

Amritraj speculated that her motivation might stem from the sheer joy of playing tennis, possibly wanting her daughters to see her compete. He believes she might find satisfaction in playing doubles. However, he concluded that the reality of attempting to win a Major at 44 while also managing family responsibilities is certainly improbable, though not impossible.

Women’s tennis and Sinner’s title defence

The discussion also touched upon the women’s competition, noting that no female player has won Wimbledon back-to-back since 2016. Amritraj attributed this to the increased parity among players since the departure of the Williams sisters. While Iga Swiatek had a dominant period, he feels that generally, female players are now much closer in standard, performance, and temperament. He identified Aryna Sabalenka as a strong contender on grass, possessing a powerful game and an improved serve, although other players have found ways to counter her. Women’s tennis is currently wide open, with potential for upsets, especially in the early stages of the tournament.

Regarding Jannik Sinner’s chances of defending his Wimbledon title, particularly with Carlos Alcaraz out due to injury, Amritraj emphasized that winning seven matches against high-quality opponents is always a challenge, regardless of who is absent. He highlighted the unique nature of playing on a fresh grass surface, which takes a match or two for players to adapt to. The heat and grass thickness in the early stages can also create opportunities for upsets, similar to what was observed in Paris.

Sinner’s recent season has been eventful. After dominating the clay-court season by sweeping the Masters 1000 tournaments in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, his collapse against Juan Manuel Cerúndolo in the second round of Roland Garros, where he led by two sets and 5-1 in the third, was a tough defeat. Sinner stated that the loss was not heat-related and spent weeks after Paris undergoing tests to understand his physical issues. He will aim to approach his title defense with resilience and a focus on learning from past experiences.

The absence of two-time Wimbledon champion Alcaraz due to a right-wrist injury leaves a void in men’s tennis, both in terms of spectacle and competition. This absence, however, presents an opportunity for other players. Djokovic has been drawn into Sinner’s half in SW19, meaning they could potentially meet in a semifinal. Alongside Djokovic and Sinner, Matteo Berrettini is the only other player in the bottom half to have reached a Wimbledon final. Other strong grass-court players like Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Alex de Minaur, Flavio Cobolli, Mensik, and Arthur Fils (if healthy) will also have high hopes for a breakthrough in this half of the draw, making for a potentially unpredictable tournament.

Source: sportstar.thehindu.com