Novak Djokovic makes Wimbledon declaration as Serb reflects on season

Novak Djokovic has declared that Wimbledon was the perfect confidence boost that he needed to get his tennis season back on track after a difficult start to 2022. The Serbian struggled mentally after spending time in an immigration centre and being deported from Australia ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year, failing to return to top form until he hit the grass courts of SW19. Djokovic was started the year chasing the all-time major trophy record, tied with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal when the season began. His first attempt should have come at the Australian Open but he was deported from the country as a result of his vaccination status returning to the tour in early February. However, he was not himself and his level of performance suffered as a result. In the meantime Nadal took advantage, winning down under before claiming his customary French Open, beating Djokovic at the quarter-final stage on his way to ultimate victory. Wimbledon marked the turning point in the Serb’s season as he claimed his seventh title at the All-England Club. Speaking ahead of this week’s Paris Masters the 35-year-old spoke of the importance of the win in helping him recover his best form. JUST IN: Rafael Nadal delivered bleak Paris verdict and told he won’t ‘have a deep run’ Novak Djokovic says Wimbledon helped him to recover his best form (Image: GETTY)’The first part of the year with everything that happened in Australia, I felt challenged, very much emotionally, mentally off the court and it was affecting my game,’ the world No 7 said. ‘It was a completely new experience for me. Unfortunately not a great one but still a life experience, and a possibility for me to grow stronger out of that. ‘I was finding my way to that desired level and that happened towards the end of the clay season,’ he said. ‘Wimbledon always comes at the right time in my career. When I need that huge confidence boost and big title, Wimbledon is always there.’DON’T MISS:Carlos Alcaraz dumped out of Swiss Indoors after losing to rival Felix Auger-AliassimeEmma Raducanu verdict given as ex-British No 1 explains most ‘difficult’ aspect of careerEmma Raducanu pockets more money than world No 1 in earner’s list despite tough year Novak Djokovic claimed his seventh Wimbledon title this year (Image: GETTY)Djokovic has followed up his Wimbledon success with wins at the Tev Aviv Open and Astana Open yet he was unable to compete in the North American tennis season as he was unable to enter the US after failing to take the Coronavirus vaccine, meaning he missed the final major of the season at Flushing Meadow. He still remains one Grand Slam behind Nadal, something he will be hoping to change in the coming years. The tennis icon will be hoping to end 2022 on a high starting with success in Paris this week, a competition has won six times including in both 2019 and 2021. It will be the Serb’s penultimate tournament this year before he takes part in the season-ending ATP Tour Finals in Turin in mid-November.