Serbian Novak Djokovic looked surprised when he was quizzed by a reporter whether he was 'favourite' to win the Wimbledon.
Djokovic was a bit surprised by the question.
And maybe he should have been.
This, then, was Djokovic’s reply: “I mean, I don’t want to sound arrogant, but of course I would consider myself the favorite.”
The Serbian, 36, knows he needs to finish the job first when world no. 8 seed Jannik Sinner, 21, on Friday in what represents the largest age gap between two men’s semifinalists at the All England Club in the professional era, which began in 1968.
Djokovic’s knows a thing or two about Sinner. He said, “He’s so young, so of course it’s expected that he’s going to improve. He is improving, no doubt, I think, with the serve. He’s been serving better. On grass, obviously, (that) makes a difference. He’s a very complete player.”
If Djokovic gets past Sinner, he would meet the winner of — No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz or No. 3 Daniil Medvedev — in the final on Sunday.
After defeating seventh seed Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals, Djokovic was asked during his on-court interview what it feels like to constantly be the player every else is focused on trying to beat.
“I know they want ... to win,” he said. “But it ain’t happening. Still.”
With odds favouring the Serbian, it's hard to think there could be any other winner at Wimbledon this year. However, crazy things have happened in the past and with Carlos Alcaraz in prime form, we could be in for a spectacle.
(With AP inputs)