Djoko prepared to overlook potential football distractions

Should he play a Wimbledon showcases match during an England World Cup clash over the course of the fortnight, Novak Djokovic will not be deterred from his mission on court.

The Serb with 24 Grand Slam singles titles – seven of them on the grass of the All England Club – will take any potential conflict in his stride and will not be bothered if fans also glance at the football while sitting in Centre Court.

With England into the knockout stage of the World Cup, anything is possible regarding possible schedule clashes.

“I’ve had that experience before here a few times with European Cups, World Cups in the past with particularly interesting matches.

“I played last on Centre Court, (and) England would be playing. It would be loud. You can sense there’s a buzz going on.

“People are kind of simultaneously looking at your match and also following their national team. It’s normal. It’s the football fever right now in this four to six weeks.”

He added: “We are also part of it. I like football. I follow everything that is going on. Obviously it’s nicer when you’re by the TV than when you’re playing, not everyone is focused on your match. 

“But that’s okay. That’s what it is.”

The 39-year-old is trying to put behind memories of his five-set, third round Roland Garros loss to Joao Fonseca.

“I’m better prepared here than I was for Roland Garros. Playing on grass, you don’t need to exert as much physical effort. So that’s better for me.”I have a very good history,at Wimbledon.

That gives me a higher dose of confidence coming into the tournament.”

Though he regrets his Paris to a teenaged opponent, Djokovic is not deterred.

“I was planning to peak at Wimbledon after the shoulder injury that kept me away from the tour for several months.

But I knew that’s (the Paris loss) going to give me a bit more time to get myself prepared for Wimbledon. So hopefully I’ll have a good tournament here.”