Wimbledon final loss doesn't signal the end of Djokovic’s domination

The world of tennis has anxiously been waiting for a changing of the guard in the men’s professional game after decades of dominance by three players. However, with Roger Federer now retired and Rafa Nadal battling persistent injuries, the feeling was that only Novak Djokovic stood in the way of a new dawn breaking over the men’s category. Unsurprisingly, there was then plenty of anticipation following the Serb’s loss in the 2023 Wimbledon final; a new era had supposedly arrived, or had it? 

Djokovic is still the man to beat

A look at the latest Paddy Power tennis odds for the upcoming US Open suggests that this sentiment is premature with Djokovic one of the standout favourites to win the tournament at odds of 6/4.

In fact, further evidence that the 36-year-old is still the man to beat can be found in the most recent 2024 Australian Open odds, with Djokovic the stand-alone favourite at just 5/4 to go all the way Down Under. Keep in mind that the Grand Slam in Melbourne is still six months away and Djokovic will be close to 37.

Novak Djokovic has become the first player in history to reach 35 Grand Slam singles finals 勞#Wimbledon | @DjokerNolepic.twitter.com/8NYR6dTEdy

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2023

What these prices ultimately indicate is that Djokovic still has the longevity to dominate the men’s game despite losing his first Wimbledon final in five years.

Losing is inevitable 

The reality is that sooner or later, losing at the highest level in professional tennis is inevitable, such is the cut-throat level of competition. In Djokovic’s case, however, his defeat during the final in SW19 was a close-run affair with the match going all the way to five sets.

Furthermore, the Serb strolled through the first set and may have been guilty of a degree of complacency in the following two. Having won the last four Wimbledon championships in a row and then beginning the final with a 6-1 set win in just 35 minutes, it would have been easy for Djokovic to imagine that his 24th Grand Slam win was an hour or so away. 

As it turned out, the Serb was up against a determined opponent who capitalised on the false sense of security he had been lulled into. Lessons would have been learned and the most successful people in any industry are always eager to better themselves by analysing past mistakes – Djokovic will be no different.

2️⃣3️⃣❤️ #RolandGarrospic.twitter.com/KOxvOq3d18

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) June 11, 2023

In short, this defeat on Centre Court would have stung Djokovic but also provided a timely reminder ahead of the upcoming showdown in the Big Apple of the perils of not seeing the job through. 

Of course, this isn’t to suggest that Wimbledon 2023 doesn’t have a deserving men’s champion or that Djokovic should have won, because the truth is that the Serb was fairly beaten on the day. Only, it is more of a nod to the 2023 Australian Open champion taking this defeat on the chin and using it as inspiration to bounce back at the US Open. 

Djokovic will soon return to winning ways 

Ultimately, suggesting that the curtain has now come down on the career of tennis’ greatest ever player following a closely-fought final on Centre Court is failing to acknowledge the revealing ebb and flow of the match. Djokovic will be back and in all likelihood, lifting his 24th Grand Slam before too long.