"I am jealous" - Martina Navratilova shares her feelings after noticing Novak Djokovic's practice with Jannik Sinner on Wimbledon Centre Court
Martina Navratilova has admitted to feeling jealous after noticing that Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner had stepped out on Wimbledon's prestigious Centre Court for practice. The session marked Djokovic's latest step in sharpening his fitness ahead of this year's edition of the prestigious grasscourt Major. However, the seven-time Wimbledon winner is yet to confirm his participation in the tournament.
Djokovic arrived at SW19 a few days ago, amid uncertainty surrounding his fitness due to a recent knee surgery. The 24-time Grand Slam winner was compelled to undergo surgery in the aftermath of the meniscus tear he suffered in his right knee during his fourth-round clash against Francisco Cerundolo at the 2024 French Open.
The Serb has already stated that he will only play at Wimbledon if he feels that he can challenge for the gentlemen's singles title. On Thursday, June 27, the former World No. 1 stepped out onto Centre Court for a practice session. Alongside him was reigning World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Previously, Wimbledon did not permit players to practice on Centre Court, but the tournament changed the rules in 2022.
Navratilova, who won nine singles and seven doubles titles at Wimbledon during her playing days, took notice of a photo that surfaced on X (formerly Twitter), which showed Djokovic and Sinner making their way out onto Centre Court for practice. The former WTA World No. 1 shared the photo and wrote that she felt jealous about the fact that the ATP rivals got the opportunity to practice on arguably tennis' most prestigious court.
"This I am jealous about- getting to practice in Centre Court!" Navratilova wrote.
"I just wanted to hold that trophy, that wonderful rose dish" - Martina Navratilova on suggestions that some players were likely to skip Wimbledon in 2022
In 2022, there was considerable speculation surrounding players' participation at Wimbledon. Some, including Naomi Osaka, had suggested at the time that they were not sure about playing at the grasscourt Major due to the lack of ranking points on offer.
Martina Navratilova was disappointed with this and remembered that, for her, playing at Wimbledon was all about lifting the prestigious Venus Rosewater Dish, the trophy given to the winner of the ladies' singles final.
"I always played for the trophies, not the points and not the money. So for me, it was Wimbledon and nothing else, everything else came in second. So the points, it's not an exhibition. I don't understand that view, that players wouldn't play because there are no ranking points. You are playing for computer ranking? I just wanted to hold that trophy, that wonderful rose dish," Navratilova told Piers Morgan on TalkTV in May 2022 (04:01).
This year, Martina Navratilova is set to be present at Wimbledon as a part of the coverage team fielded by the BBC, which also includes fellow yesteryear greats John McEnroe and Billie Jean King.