"Hopefully I can do the same"- Djokovic eyeing 7th Wimbledon

Sunday, 26 June 2022 at 09:30

Updated at Tuesday, 03 December 2024 at 16:48

bySam Frape

Six-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic is forever striving to improve. Just before this year's Championships, the Serbian made no two bones about aiming to equal Pete Sampras' record (7).

American great Sampras has always been a reference point for 'Nole,' with the Serbian explaining that the seven-time Wimbledon champion was the first tennis player he watched growing up.

Speaking pre-tournament, he was keen to express his nostalgic memories of watching Sampras growing up and how this impacted his dreams of emulating the American's successes at SW19.

"Pete Sampras, winning his first Wimbledon, was the first tennis match I ever saw on the TV. Pete has won it seven times, if I'm not mistaken. Hopefully, yeah, I can do the same this year."

— <br>

Djokovic explained that he did not play any preparation events this year due to finding success in the past without playing any warm-up events either. He did experiment in the past but opted against it this year.

Read also

Stefanos Tsitsipas becomes first player in last 5 years to win a trophy on all three surfaces

"You have to be more careful with the movement, tactics, et cetera, different training regimen. Different position on the court. You have to be lower, everything kind of skids through the court. It's very quick and bounces low. It's hard to talk in general what is the proper formula. I know what works for me, but of course everyone is different."

— <br>

Only time will tell if Djokovic can indeed equal Sampras' seven at the All England Club this July. He would certainly go a long way in really cementing his position as the greatest ever should he manage to win seven matches in a row at The Championships.

Victory would not bring write him into the record books, however, with Switzerland's Roger Federer still holding the accolade for the most Wimbledon men's singles trophies won (8).