Novak Djokovic knows what it means to live up to high expectations after years of titles and trophies.
He is 39 years old, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, but now plays very rarely.
Williams was criticized for not addressing the media after the loss. Getty Images
So he is in a better position than anyone to analyze how Serena Williams – a seven-time Wimbledon singles champion like him – must have felt after losing at the All England Club earlier this week in the first singles match she has played in almost four years.
“People always expect you to play your best because they are used to seeing you dominate the sport for many years,” Djokovic said.
“She’s 44 years old. She has two children. Going back, it’s normal that she’s still not in the best shape in terms of movement. She hasn’t played a match in so many years.”
“People need to chill out a little bit from the judgment and criticism and everything else. Let’s just enjoy the greatness and who she is and what she represents for the sport.”
Williams lost to 20-year-old Maya Joynt 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 in the first round on Wednesday morning (AEST) but showed she can compete with an opponent half her age after being away for so long.
Williams continued to hit serves in excess of 120 mph and dictated points with her heavy groundstrokes. But movement was an issue and the 87th-ranked Joint was able to win more big points, putting him beyond the reach of the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion.
“Her willingness to try and just come back is an incredible gift for our sport,” Djokovic said.
“I think people sometimes—I don’t know why—they don’t appreciate it enough. They just start speculating or judging or something like that.
“It’s like, ‘Hey guys, enjoy yourself. The greatest players who have ever played will come to you to bring more attention to your sport.”
“I really support Serena. I always have. I hope she plays more,” Djokovic added.
Williams has received an invitation to play both singles and doubles at Wimbledon, and it remains to be seen whether she will still play doubles with older sister Venus.
Williams announced after the match that she had twisted her right knee near the end of the first set against the Joint. She said she still hoped to play doubles, but the Williams sisters’ opening match against Colombia’s Camila Osorio and Argentina’s Solana Sierra was only a remaining first-round match that was not on the day five play schedule.
At last year’s US Open, Djokovic publicly called for Serena to return.
“When someone challenges her, she never refuses. So I challenge Serena: come back on tour next year,” Djokovic said in 2025.
Djokovic and Williams pose with the 2016 Australian Open trophies. Getty
Now Djokovic wants to see Serena play at the US Open this year.
“For the sake of tennis and all of us, I hope we can see more of her,” Djokovic said. “I imagine the US Open is where she would like to play. Playing her home tournament would be amazing for her and for everyone else.”
Djokovic won his second round match against Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, 24 hours after watching Serena’s match on the same court on TV.
“What she does is incredible. Epic,” Djokovic said. “I’ve always been a fan of Serena. I’m sure she wanted and expected to win at least one match or more.
“Knowing how competitive she is and how much she has the mind of a champion, she’s not content with just showing up on the court. She wants to win.”