WIMBLEDON, England — Even after having won every major tournament, Wimbledon still holds a special place for three-time champion Novak Djokovic.
Though Djokovic completed his career ambition of a career Grand Slam three weeks ago by finally claiming an elusive French Open title, Wimbledon, where he won in 2011, 2014 and last year, remains the tournament of his boyhood dreams.
"Every time I come back here, even though of course each year is different, I kind of relive those memories from the childhood days when I was really imagining myself being part of this wonderful event and hopefully winning it one day," Djokovic said in his news conference Sunday.
"Even though I've been very blessed to achieve this childhood dream and win this tournament three times, I still feel that kind of excitement as I'm coming in for the first time. Of course, situation this year is quite different from previous years because I'm coming in with a Roland Garros title for the first time. That gives me, obviously, a lot of confidence prior to this event."
Djokovic hardly needs more confidence, considering his recent domination of the men's game. Having won the last four Grand Slam events — becoming the first man to hold all four since Rod Laver in 1969 — even lost sets will be met with surprise as he makes his way through the tournament.
On Saturday, Nick Kyrgios rolled his eyes when asked who the favorite to win the tournament was in his eyes.
"Probably Djokovic," Kyrgios said, flatly. "It's a silly question. No more questions for you, bro."
Djokovic was more deferential about his own inevitability.
"I think it's pretty much an open field," he said. "I think the beauty of all the Grand Slams, and of this sport, is that you always start from scratch, and you always start from the same starting position as everybody else, fighting for the trophy equally."
Like Serena and Venus Williams, who have won Wimbledon six and five times, respectively, Djokovic has chosen not to play any grass court tune-up event in recent years, including this one, opting for rest and recuperation over match play.
"Winning Roland Garros was obviously one of the most memorable and beautiful moments of my career," he said. "Also, it took a lot out of me. I thought that it's more important for me to just rejuvenate and rest a little bit from tennis and then come back preparing for Wimbledon."
As is tradition at Wimbledon for the defending champion, Djokovic will play the tournament's first match on Centre Court, facing off against 177th-ranked British wild card James Ward.
British players like Ward (as well Djokovic's possible second-round opponent Kyle Edmund) have more experience on grass courts than most, and with Djokovic's often counter-punching baseline style it could be considered his least natural surface. Still, Djokovic has adjusted and overcome those disadvantages.
"I've been working hard to get that consistency," Djokovic said. "For myself throughout the years on the tour, on all different kinds of surfaces, I'm trying to better my game as my career went on, trying to be dedicated to my own progress, my own improvement.
"Obviously I'm at the peak of my career at the moment. It hopefully can still keep going. I see still lots of room for improvement, things that I can work on. That's something that encourages me. That's something that keeps me grounded in a way, gives me more reason to practice."
