NOVAK DJOKOVIC has been backed to lift Grand Slam No25 this weekend by his secret weapon.
And Nick Kyrgios – who has put aside past grievances to become a hitting partner on the training courts this fortnight – has warned future opponents not to rile the Serbian.
Djokovic’s reunion with the Centre Court crowd, days after he slammed a section of them for trying to sabotage his title charge, must wait until Friday.
On Wednesday morning, injured Alex de Minaur withdrew from the quarter-finals with a torn fibrocartilage in his hip, giving Djokovic a bye into the semi-finals.
Djokovic, 37, had knee surgery on June 5 but remarkably could end up equalling Roger Federer’s tally of eight Wimbledon singles crowns.
Kyrgios – who hopes to return in August after a 21-month injury layoff – said: “Having a day off is the best thing for him.
“Especially when you’re playing best of five, at his age, 37, and with that knee.
“At the start of the Championships there were so many question marks, people saying he couldn’t win it.
“And now he comes into the semi-finals as probably the favourite. I don’t think you should doubt this man.
“I’ll hit with him so hopefully I’ll get more of an insight into how he’s feeling.
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“But I think right now, he looks to be probably the favourite in my eyes.
“After that match against Holger Rune, he’s playing and moving the best I’ve ever seen him.
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“He’s a different type of athlete. I think we found a time ago that he wasn’t human and we’re still trying to figure out what he is.
“He has the best team around him in his recovery. He’s one of the most professional players to ever play the game – no-one doubts that.
“He’s reaping the rewards now. His career is over 20 years and he’s still one of the best in the world.
“If one of the young guys can dethrone him, I’m waiting for it.”
It will be interesting to see how UK fans react to Djokovic given that he was angry with some punters, whom he felt were trying to bait him with chants of “RUUUNNNEEE”.
Kyrgios said: “Novak looks for more motivation in those things. I’ve tried to do these things and it doesn’t work.
“He’ll single out that one person to find that extra motivation. On that day, it was just that.
“After that incident happened, he started to play some of the best tennis we have seen.
If you don’t want Novak to win, be as quiet as possible
Nick Kyrgios
“My advice to anyone going up against Novak in the future in the crowd, if you don’t want Novak to win, be as quiet as possible.”
De Minaur – the boyfriend of British No.1 Katie Boulter – said he was forced to retire following his “freak” injury rather than risk making the hip issue even worse.
Had the No9 seed taken to Centre Court as planned, there was a huge risk of causing long-term damage.
De Minaur, 25, said: “I’m devastated. I felt a loud crack during the last three points of my last match.
“I got a scan and it confirmed that this was the injury. There’s a high risk of making it worse if I was to step on court.
“They haven’t been able to tell me a definite recovery plan because it’s such a unique injury.
“It’s based on pain. Right now, it can be anywhere from 3-6 weeks. It just depends on how quickly my body heals.
“It’s no secret that this was the biggest match of my career. I wanted to do anything I could to play.
“I wanted to wake up hoping I’d feel some form of miracle and not feel it whilst I’m walking.
“The problem with me going out and playing is that one stretch, one slide, one anything could make this injury go from 3-6 weeks to four months. It’s too much, too risky.”
