Novak Djokovic happy to be Wimbledon underdog after nightmare 12 months sees Serb drop to world No4
The 12-time Grand Slam champion is still the second seed but behind Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the bookies' odds
NOVAK DJOKOVIC insists he feels “liberated” heading into Wimbledon now he is no longer the favourite.
The 12-time Grand Slam champion has dropped to No 4 in the world after a miserable 12 months by his own sky-high standards.
His patchy form means he arrives at SW19 next week with Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal all ahead of him in the bookies’ odds — even though he will be seeded No 2 at the All England Club.
But Djokovic, who saw off Vasek Pospisil 6-4 6-3 on his Eastbourne debut yesterday, claims he has been feeling the heat less as a result.
Former world No 1 Djok, behind defending champion Muzza in Wimbledon’s seedings, said: “It is liberating a bit.
"It releases a bit of the pressure.
“It’s always there, you still feel it. It’s part of who I am — and what I’ve achieved has added to those expectations from people.
“I was very fortunate and privileged to have so much success in the last eight, nine years, and kind of entered most tournaments as one of the biggest favourites to win it.
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"So for a change it’s good to not be one of the top favourites.”
Djokovic’s shock third-round loss to Sam Querrey at the last Wimbledon sparked his year-long slump.
But while Yank Querrey was losing on Eastbourne’s outside courts to Russian world No 52 Daniil Medvedev, Djokovic was easing aside Canadian Pospisil on centre.
Continuing from the eight minutes they managed on Tuesday before the rain, Djokovic took the first set 6-4.
The Serb, 30, then claimed the second thanks to a key break to go 4-2 up, which prompted Pospisil to throw his racket and yell ‘s***’ in frustration.
The performance will have boosted his low confidence and pleased new coach Andre Agassi, watching on TV in Las Vegas.
Agassi has an informal deal to advise Djokovic and will be over for Wimbledon next week.
Djokovic, supported by his physio and agent at Eastbourne, added: “Andre’s watching on TV.
“Even when we are a distance from each other, we still communicate on more or less a daily basis. He shares his thoughts.”
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