Novak Djokovic has pulled out of his pre-Wimbledon exhibition match at the last minute. The Serb was due to play Karen Khachanov at the Hurlingham Club on Wednesday.
What happened?
Novak Djokovic's withdrawal from the exhibition match has raised concerns about his fitness. No reason was given for the decision, which is bound to raise alarm bells about his preparation for Wimbledon.
The 39-year-old Djokovic has not played a single match on grass this season. His last appearance was at the French Open, where he lost to Joao Fonseca in the third round.
Why it matters for Novak Djokovic
Djokovic's fitness is always a topic of discussion, and decisions like these are likely to spark debate about his chances at Wimbledon. The seven-time Wimbledon champion was a losing semi-finalist last year, coming up short against Jannik Sinner.
What comes next?
Despite pulling out of the exhibition match, Novak Djokovic was pictured training on the grounds of Wimbledon. This suggests that he may be focusing on his preparation for the tournament, which begins on Monday, June 29.
The weather in London may have played a role in Djokovic's decision, with temperatures exceeding 35°C on Wednesday. Playing in such extreme conditions could have been a risk, especially given his age and the importance of the upcoming tournament.
Djokovic's main rival, Jannik Sinner, made his return to tennis at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic, winning his exhibition match against Cameron Norrie. Sinner and Djokovic are the two favorites to clinch the Wimbledon title, and any meeting between the pair on grass could decide the winner.
Novak Djokovic will be looking to exact revenge on Sinner, having lost to him at Wimbledon last year. However, he did beat Sinner at the Australian Open earlier this year, showing that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
With Carlos Alcaraz out of the picture at Wimbledon, the stage is set for a thrilling tournament. Novak Djokovic's withdrawal from the exhibition match may have raised some concerns, but he remains one of the top contenders for the title.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion will be looking to add to his collection of titles, and his fans will be eagerly waiting to see how he performs at Wimbledon. Despite the setback, Novak Djokovic is still the man to beat, and his training sessions on the grounds of Wimbledon suggest that he is focused on the task ahead.
The wait is almost over, and the tennis world will soon find out if Novak Djokovic can reclaim his title at Wimbledon. With his experience and skill, he is definitely one of the favorites to win, and his fans will be cheering him on every step of the way.