India, June 29 -- Three weeks ago, following a heartbreaking semifinal exit at the French Open, Novak Djokovic dropped a bombshell about his future in professional tennis, suggesting it might have been his final appearance at Roland Garros. The remark instantly sparked speculation that retirement could be closer than many had anticipated, further intensifying the buzz around his 20th appearance at Wimbledon.

Djokovic has mentioned Rafael Nadal more frequently in recent months, admitting that his rival's retirement deeply affected him. It took away the thrill of their two-decade-long rivalry, which helped shape the modern era of men's tennis. With Roger Federer exiting the stage in 2022, Djokovic remains the last of the Big Three.

Amid t...