Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, knows the pressure of living up to unrealistic expectations.
So it’s no secret that he knows the criticism seven-time Wimbledon singles champion Serena Williams is facing because of her first-round singles defeat to Maya Joint. The match was Williams’ first singles match in almost four years.
Williams was defeated 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3, but still produced serves faster than 120 mph. Movement wasn’t on her side, while the 20-year-old Maya Joint was able to win the big points by hitting beyond the reach of the legend.
“People always expect you to play at your best because they’re used to seeing you dominate the sport for many years,” Djokovic said. “She’s 44. She has two children. Coming back, it’s normal that she still is not at her best in terms of movement. She hasn’t played a match in so many years. People need to cool off a little bit with judgment and criticism and everything. Let’s just enjoy the greatness, who she is, what she represents to the sport.”
“Her wanting to give it a try and just come back is an incredible gift for our sport,” Djokovic said. “I think people sometimes — I don’t know why — they don’t appreciate that enough. They just start to speculate, judge or whatever. It’s like, ‘Hey, guys, enjoy. You have the greatest ever to come play for you, to bring more attention to your sport.’
“I really support Serena. Always have. Hopefully she’s going to play more,” Djokovic added.
Williams received a wildcard entry for both singles and doubles at Wimbledon. But it’s still not confirmed whether she’ll be playing doubles with her sister, Venus. On Wednesday, she announced that she tweaked her right knee toward the end of the first set against Joint.
She still hopes to play doubles, but the Williams sisters’ opener against Colombia’s Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra of Argentina was the only remaining first-round match not scheduled for Friday. The possibility of them playing on Saturday remains.
Last year at the U.S. Open, Djokovic publicly challenged Serena to return, and he hopes to see her play this year’s U.S. Open as well.
“When somebody challenges her, she never refuses. So I challenge Serena: Come back on the tour next year,” Djokovic said in 2025. “I hope for the sake of tennis and all of us that we will be able to see her more,” Djokovic said. “I assume that the U.S. Open is somewhere where she would like to play. Playing in her home Slam would be amazing for her and for everyone else.”
He himself won his second-round match against Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets Wednesday night on Centre Court.
“What she’s doing is incredible. Epic,” Djokovic said. “I’ve always been a fan of Serena. I’m sure she wanted and expected to at least win one match or more. Knowing how competitive she is, the mind of a champion that she has, she’s not happy with just showing up on the court. She wants to win.”
