As Wimbledon 2025 commences, the spotlight shines brightly on the top contenders, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. However, a resounding sentiment echoes through the hallowed grounds of the All England Club: Novak Djokovic cannot be discounted.

Former two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Wally Masur has issued a strong warning to Alcaraz and Sinner, emphasizing that Djokovic's impressive track record on grass speaks for itself. Masur believes the surface elevates Djokovic against the field, providing him with a distinct advantage due to his extensive experience and deep understanding of the nuances of grass-court tennis.

Djokovic's history at Wimbledon is undeniable. He has secured seven Wimbledon championships, placing him just one title behind Roger Federer's record in the Open Era. Djokovic has appeared in the title match the past six times the tournament was held. His dominance on Centre Court is particularly striking, with 39 consecutive victories since his last loss to Andy Murray in the 2013 final. Furthermore, he has not lost to a Top 10 player at Wimbledon in almost a decade.

Djokovic's overall record on grass is remarkable. His career winning percentage on grass is 85.8%, surpassing his records on both hard courts (84.6%) and clay (80.3%). This statistic underscores his exceptional proficiency on the surface and his ability to consistently perform at the highest level on grass.

Despite recent Grand Slam results that might suggest a shift in dominance, with a semi-final showing at the Australian Open and a quarterfinal appearance at the French Open, Djokovic's prowess on grass remains a significant threat. While it is clear that Djokovic is not anymore the No. 1 favorite to win Grand Slams, he still could find a way to beat Alcaraz or Sinner.

Djokovic himself recognizes that Wimbledon presents a prime opportunity to add to his Grand Slam collection. With 24 major titles, he is eager to surpass Margaret Court's record and claim his 25th. He has admitted that Wimbledon could be his "best chance" to make history, citing his past results and his mental and motivational edge at the All England Club.

Looking ahead to the tournament draw, Djokovic is in the same half as Sinner, potentially setting up a semi-final clash. To reach that stage, he faces a challenging path, including possible encounters with Alex Michelsen, Alex de Minaur, and either Jack Draper, Alexander Bublik, or Jakub Mensik. Alcaraz, on the other hand, could face a rematch against Holger Rune in the quarter-finals.

As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on Djokovic as he aims to equal Federer's record of eight Wimbledon titles. He begins his campaign against Alexandre Muller, with the immediate goal of reaching 100 match wins at Wimbledon.

While Alcaraz and Sinner represent the next generation of tennis stars, Djokovic's experience, skill, and unwavering determination make him a formidable contender. As Wally Masur aptly stated, discounting Djokovic on grass would be a grave mistake.