• ATP Tour

Murray very close to slam breakthrough - Djokovic

Novak Djokovic beat Andy Murray in the final of the Australian Open earlier this year © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• What the Deuce: Davis Cup could spark Murray slam quest
  
• News: Lloyd slams Murray's attitude
  
• News: Djokovic eyes career Grand Slam
  
• News: Smith promises to ease Murray's hurt
  
• News: Only Djokovic can beat me, claims confused Nadal
  
• Profile: Novak Djokovic | Andy Murray

Novak Djokovic is confident Andy Murray has what it takes to win a grand slam sooner rather than later.

The recently-crowned Wimbledon champion has returned to his native Serbia to celebrate his success at the All England Club - the third grand slam title of his career.

At 24, Murray is the same age as Djokovic but has so far failed to win a grand slam, despite reaching three finals in his career - the last of which coming at this year's Australian Open, where he lost to Djokovic.

But despite their differing fortunes to date, Djokovic believes the Scot is not far away from making the first breakthrough of many.

"It's just a small percentage, that next final step Andy needs to make it," Djokovic said. "And definitely the first grand slam is the toughest to win.

"But what people have to realise is that Wimbledon is nothing like any other tournament. Three weeks is a long event.

"You have to come the week before and prepare and you have to come through the pressure and expectations, especially if you're a top player.

"And especially if you're in his position, as a home favourite - somebody who everybody expects to win for Britain.

"But he handles the pressure very well. Obviously, sometimes it gets to him. But he has the quality to win a grand slam, any grand slam, because he is an all-round player."

Djokovic also admitted it was a slice of good luck that he even became a tennis player in the first place, as he was fortunate enough to grow up near tennis courts in Belgrade.

"I would have become a skier or football player or regular student if those tennis courts hadn't been built where we lived," he said. "But that is destiny in life."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.