Bjorn Borg-like retirement or 25th Slam for Novak Djokovic? John McEnroe makes bold prediction for Serb at Wimbledon

John McEnroe made a bold prediction for Novak Djokovic as he discussed the Serb’s chances of winning another Grand Slam title or a possible Bjorn Borg-like retirement, after his deep run at the French Open. The 24-time Major champions’ dreams were crushed after facing defeat to Jannik Sinner at the semifinals of the Roland Garros.

The former American tennis star’s analysis shed light on how Djokovic’s current form is incomparable, but probably not enough to give him the edge over young guns like Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz. However, he places faith in him after his impressive performance at Roland Garros, where he dominated players like Alexander Zverev, keeping hopes of one more title alive.

Wimbledon, where Djokovic has triumphed seven times in his career, was picked by McEnroe to be the one championship that he has a chance to win this season, owing to the Serb’s extensive knowledge of grass courts and technical upper hand over his opponents.

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During a post-match show on TNT Sports, McEnroe reflected on whether Djokovic would be back for the tournament next year or would retire like Bjorn Borg did, irrespective of his world ranking.

"Bjorn Borg, who is my great rival, said to me it doesn't matter if you're not number one or two or 100. I replied to him, "Well, 2's whole lot better than 100." So if Novak had Bjorn's attitude, I don't think he will be back because I don't think he's gonna bridge this gap."

He further elaborated on his chances at Wimbledon and how he would still have to get an edge over the top young players.

"He's gonna have the best shots at Wimbledon. So we'll better understand it because he knows the intricacies better than Sinner. If he's on Sinner's half, I think he'd be a better shot of beating him there. Alcaraz again, if he brings his best, is going to beat everybody in my opinion," he added.

Novak Djokovic also commented on the possibility of his return to the French Open next year.

Novak Djokovic on returning to French Open next year

After facing a heartbreak at the semifinals of the French Open, Novak Djokovic bid an emotional farewell and was seen touching the clay court when exiting. This made people speculate if he had already played his last game at Roland Garros.

He addressed this speculation at the post-match press conference.

"This could’ve been the last match ever I played here. I don’t know... 12 months at this point in my career is quite a long time," said Djokovic.

The Serb last won Wimbledon in 2022 after beating Nick Kyrgios in the summit clash.

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About the author

Aatreyi Sarkar

Aatreyi Sarkar is a tennis journalist at Sportskeeda. Currently pursuing a degree in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University and a U.S. State Department scholar at The University of Kansas, she blends her academic background with her passion for storytelling.

Aatreyi sources accurate information from social media platforms to stay updated on the latest developments and fan discussions. She strives to produce engaging, insightful, and experimental content that connects with readers, aspiring to make tennis more accessible and captivating for fans around the globe

She finds immense inspiration in Novak Djokovic, whose incredible comebacks and relentless determination motivate her to approach her work with the same passion. Roland Garros is her favorite tournament, cherished for its unique clay-court challenges and historical importance.

Though new to professional writing, Aatreyi has been an avid debater and quizzer since middle school, showcasing her analytical skills and creativity. Outside tennis, she is a passionate cricket fan, baker, and reader who enjoys exploring literature beyond academic constraints.

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