Novak Djokovic began his Wimbledon campaign with a hard-fought win over China's Wu Yibing on 30 June. He is bidding to equal Roger Federer's record of eight Wimbledon titles and claim a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam.
What happened?
Greg Rusedski has given Novak Djokovic real hope of winning Wimbledon, saying he could even be ‘joint-favourite’ alongside defending champion Jannik Sinner.
The Serbian icon, who has not added to his Grand Slam tally since 2023, started strongly against Wu Yibing.
Why it matters for Novak Djokovic
Djokovic's win over Wu Yibing sets him up for a second-round match against former Australian Open and French Open finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Rusedski believes Djokovic's experience and skill on grass make him a strong contender for the title.
What comes next?
Djokovic will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round, while Sinner takes on Nuno Borges.
Other contenders for the men's singles title include new French Open champion Alexander Zverev and former US Open finalist Taylor Fritz.
Djokovic's chances of winning have been boosted by the absence of Carlos Alcaraz, who was ruled out through injury.
Rusedski said: 'Novak Djokovic is my second-pick for the Wimbledon title. People are comparing him with Serena Williams in a way because of their age and status but you can’t compare him to Serena.'
Djokovic's ability to perform well in hot conditions also makes him a strong contender, according to Rusedski.
The Serbian icon has been playing all year and is still a full-time professional, which gives him an edge over other players.
Rusedski added: 'Let’s not forget he beat Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open, nobody thought he was going to win that match.'
Djokovic's next match against Stefanos Tsitsipas will be a tough test, but he is confident of his chances.
The 39-year-old Serbian icon is determined to win his 25th Grand Slam title and equal Roger Federer's record.
With the heat expected to be a factor at Wimbledon, Djokovic's experience and skill on grass will be crucial in his bid for the title.
Rusedski believes Djokovic has a good chance of winning, saying: 'For me, he might even be joint-favourite because of the heat.'
The outcome of the tournament is still uncertain, but one thing is clear: Novak Djokovic is a strong contender for the Wimbledon title.
Djokovic's fans will be watching his next match against Stefanos Tsitsipas with bated breath, hoping he can take another step towards his 25th Grand Slam title.
The stage is set for an exciting tournament, with Djokovic and other top players vying for the title.
As the tournament progresses, Djokovic will face tough challenges, but his experience and skill make him a strong contender.
Rusedski's backing of Djokovic as joint-favourite has given him a boost, and he will be looking to prove himself in the coming matches.
The world will be watching as Djokovic takes on Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round, hoping to see him take another step towards his record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.