John McEnroe has said American star Sebastian Korda would be a “legitimate threat” to Novak Djokovic in his quest for a fifth consecutive Wimbledon title. World number one Djokovic hasn’t lost at Wimbledon since retiring through injury in 2017 and will likely be the big favorite at the All England Club in July.
The Serbian icon won his 10th Australian Open title in Melbourne last month and is expected to dominate the other three Grand Slams this summer.
Djokovic is the man to beat in men’s tennis, which is going through a transitional phase with the recent retirement of the iconic Roger Federer and the injury of old workhorse Rafael Nadal.
But a string of talented young Americans are showing promising signs that could eventually dethrone the 35-year-old Djokovic. Tommy Paul was sharply beaten by Djokovic in the semi-finals in Melbourne but continues to improve, while rising star Ben Shelton was beaten in the quarter-finals on his first trip outside the United States.
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McEnroe, however, singled out fellow Aussie Open quarter-finalist Korda as the next American star who could make a splash at a major tournament.
A wrist injury derailed the first Grand Slam of the year for Korda, who was forced to retire in his Round of 16 match against Karen Khachanov at the Rod Laver Arena, but he is considered a threat on the grass at SW19.
“I think Korda. I mean, to me, Sebastian Korda is like a ‘wow’ guy,” McEnroe said. “If he could put it together, we’ll see how the wrist is, I haven’t heard any updates on the wrist injury he suffered against Khachanov. But, if he can add a little more meat to the bones, get a little more pop on the serve, he seems like a guy to me who is a legitimate threat at Wimbledon. »
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An American player hasn’t lifted a Grand Slam trophy since Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003. But three-time Wimbledon winner McEnroe thinks the tide could turn and Frances Tiafoe, half- a US Open runner-up last year, also has the game to stand out for Grand Slam glory.
“There is a vacuum in tennis with Roger’s retirement, we are not sure about Rafa, so there is a place now where players are trying to find their place, so there is an opportunity,” he said. he said at a recent Eurosport and discovery+ event.
“Tiafoe, I would put him close to the top in terms of advantages because sportingly he might even be the best of them all, but mentally he is getting stronger, disappointing result at the Australian Open. I think in a year or a year and a half you’ll see one of the Americans win a major. »
