Novak Djokovic, at 39, is finding a new level of acceptance and admiration at Wimbledon, completing a transformation from a player often met with antagonism to a beloved figure. This shift in crowd reception mirrors the enduring quality of greatness seen in contemporaries like Lionel Messi and Rory McIlroy.
Djokovic drew comparisons to Messi, who recently scored a hat-trick in the World Cup, and noted McIlroy's presence in the Royal Box during his latest match. "I love watching greatness and the continuing evolution of greatness," Djokovic stated. "Like Messi, like LeBron James. These guys. (Steph) Curry. Rory. It's amazing to see. I feel like we are all setting the bar higher and moving the needle of what people thought is possible in terms of level of competition and level of performance at a late age. I'm always a big fan of witnessing history. Messi is born the same year I'm born, 1987. It's a good year to be born."
In his recent match against Stefanos Tsitsipas, Djokovic secured a swift victory with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. This performance was rated 9.06 out of 10 by data company TennisViz, marking it as the highest rating of the tournament thus far. The Serb committed only seven unforced errors, and a specific return game at 4-2 in the final set was highlighted by commentator Andrew Castle as one of the best he had ever witnessed.
Djokovic's demeanor on court has also contributed to his changed perception. During a break, he engaged in a lighthearted prank with a ball girl and bantered with Rory McIlroy about golf. This relaxed approach contrasts sharply with past instances, such as in 2021 when he perceived crowd chants as boos, or in the 2019 final when he faced a heavily partisan crowd against Roger Federer.
This newfound rapport with the Wimbledon audience could prove to be a potent force as Djokovic pursues his 25th Grand Slam title. He is scheduled to face Arthur Rinderknech next, with a potential rematch against Joao Fonseca looming, whom he lost to at the French Open. A significant semi-final challenge may come from Jannik Sinner, although Djokovic holds a recent win against him at the Australian Open.
The window for Djokovic's success may be closing, especially with the potential return of Carlos Alcaraz from injury. For Djokovic, this Wimbledon could represent a final significant opportunity for a Grand Slam title, akin to a last shot at glory for the veteran athlete.