Wimbledon
Djokovic grits his teeth against Fearnley at Wimbledon
The Balkans will cross with Popyrin in the third round
July 04, 2024
BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images
By the ATPtour.com/es Team
The figure of Novak Djokovic continues to command visible respect at the All England Club. On a circuit where the forces are divided, with the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz as the current champion and the Italian Jannik Sinner dressed as the world No. 1, the Balkan returns to one of its most powerful strongholds: the grass of Wimbledon. The seven-time champion, whose right knee is protected after meniscus surgery, made a dedicated start to the tournament, marking the finish with two complete games.
The second seed increased his concentration to settle in London, defeating British guest Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5, who was a delegate in Grand Slam tournaments with few references to the best. with you in the Balkans. With the precision of a surgeon, taking advantage of the first two break points generated in the first two sets, Djokovic did a clean job to make the difference in an even match. If the first sensation of the tournament is significant, Novak managed to emphasize one of his great talents: turning the smallest gap into an irreparable wound.
However, on his first visit to Center Court, Fearnley had hope in a match with impossible colors. Although no one beat Djokovic in straight sets at Wimbledon, a feat hardly unprecedented in a Slam (Jurgen Melzer at Roland Garros 2010), the Briton opened up his hitting range to keep London in suspense. The challenger grabbed the third set which was not for the faint of heart and was one breath (3-2 15/40) away from taking control in the fourth. Faced with danger, Djokovic pushed himself to the limit to leave the court unscathed.
“Jacob has made a great effort, he played great,” admitted Djokovic. “I didn’t have the chance to see him play until a few days ago. There are always surprises and nothing to lose. I knew it would be difficult to play him at Wimbledon. grass courts.” , with fast surfaces. They know how to play.
“He served very well, it was difficult to break his serve. He made me work. I was lucky not to be broken in the fourth set. I could have won the match in three sets, but “It might have been worth the game. Even to finish fifth because of the way he played in fourth place I’m glad it didn’t happen.”
“I didn’t really feel comfortable in the third and fourth. Sometimes you have hard days when you don’t feel the best,” said Djokovic. “Of course, it also depends on the competitors you have on the other side of the net. Jacob performed at a high level today and made me sweat to get the win.”
Having sharpened his shots with two visits to the Center, Djokovic will look to measure his level against powerful profiles. The Serbian will play in the third round of Wimbledon against Australian Alexei Popyrin, who added an electrifying 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 win over Argentina’s Tomás Martín Etcheverry in four sets. hours of play. . Djokovic, who leads the history ATP Head2Head 2-0 against the Aussiehe already needed four sets to beat him at the Australian Open at the start of the year.
Novak is trying to regain a strong level of play in one of the most challenging seasons of his sporting career. The Balkans, with a record of 20-6 this year, have come to London without being able to lift a single trophy in 2024, far from the championship suit that has built their legend. It is an unprecedented situation in the last 18 years of his professional career.
Djokovic’s effort in London is also a battle against time, trying to maintain his validity in the face of a generation of youngsters already at the top. The former world No. 1 to become the oldest ever Wimbledon champion and add to his record (4). great gentlemen which is raised when they reach 35 years of age. His victory this Thursday in the British capital keeps that door open for one of the greatest contenders of all time.
With that reality in mind, Djokovic continues to take steps at Wimbledon throughout the years. The Serbian is aiming to lift his eighth gold trophy at the All England Club and equal Roger Federer’s all-time men’s singles record. It would also tie the Balkans (Federer, Helen Willis-Moody) for second place in British singles trophies on the women’s and men’s circuit, only behind nine-time champion Martina Navratilova.
Expanding his work beyond the big- In London, Djokovic looks to win his 25th Grand Slam singles crown and hold the all-time singles record. big ones both men and women.
Did you know…?
Novak Djokovic won 32 matches out of 33 matches he played during his life against local players in Grand Slam tournaments. Far from being intimidated by a stand turned in favor of his rival, the Serbian has overcome the stage against a ‘home’ tennis player and only Andy Murray won in the 2013 Wimbledon final.