Former British No 1 reveals Novak Djokovic’s secret weapon at Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic is heading to Wimbledon as the hottest favourite to win the title in recent memory and former British No 1 Andrew Castle has suggested his biggest weapon may not be his shot-making brilliance.

Djokovic is aiming to equal Roger Federer’s all-time record of eight Wimbledon wins when he defends his title at the All England Club next month.

The 36-year-old will complete the third leg of the calendar Grand Slam if he adds Wimbledon glory to the Australian Open and French Open titles he has already won in 2023.

Now Castle has told Tennis365 at a Game4Padel event that Djokovic has an aura that will debilitate his opponents before they strike a ball on Wimbledon’s Centre Court.

“Djokovic utterly feels he belongs on the Wimbledon stage and has a complete conviction that he will win when he is fit and at his best,” Castle told Tennis365.

“There is a good reason why he has that belief because history tells us he is right in that opinion. I expect him to be the player to beat again this year because here is a player who has it all.

“What we see on court is not just a guy who is incredibly gifted because he has worked on this. He is so professional and when you walk out on Centre Court next to him, no one believes they can beat him over five sets.

“You get upsets in sport and that’s why we all watch, but can anyone stop Djokovic at Wimbledon this summer? I’m not so sure.

“Not everyone can deal with the pressure of playing on Centre Court in the biggest matches of them all.

“Whatever their physical gifts, some people just struggle to perform in that cathedral-like atmosphere. It takes a lot to believe you deserve to be there and even more to believe you can win. That is why players like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are so special.”

Castle has commentated on the last 20 Wimbledon Men’s Singles’ finals as the lead commentator for the BBC, but he insists the excitement of the English grass court season never wanes.

“Every time I walk into the grounds at Wimbledon is a special moment and the place is just magical,” he added.

“Anyone who loves tennis would say the same. The novelty of walking through the gates at the All England Club will never wear off.

“There are stories everywhere, on and off the court. It tends to heat up around the time of the Queen’s Club tournament and every day brings a new development.

“Someone might say something in a press conference and you need to be aware of that, there may be a confrontation between a player and an umpire and that needs to be on your radar and it is especially hectic in the first week when there are so many matches during the first week of Wimbledon.

“Then you ease into the second week and things tend to calm down a little, but the flow of news and stories doesn’t stop.

“I am also presenting the champions’ dinner on the evening of the final Sunday of The Championships this year, so that will finish me off nicely. I will be cooked but very happy!”

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