Is Novak Djokovic ready to perhaps win yet another Wimbledon title?
A few months ago, such a thought seemed unthinkable as the former No. 1 got off to a shaky start in his comeback from an elbow injury. But now this year’s No. 12 seed is showing the kind of form that many think could help him make a deep run at this year’s Wimbledon.
Djokovic got off to the best possible start for The Championships with an easy opening round win. American Tennys Sandgren proved no match for the three-time champion Djokovic.
In just over 90 minutes, Djokvoic wrapped up a 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 victory.
“First match at Wimbledon. You always want to start off well. I've never played him before, so it took a little bit of time to kind of get used to his pace and rhythm. But just overall was quite solid performance,” Djokovic said afterwards.
Djokovic, who reached the Queen’s Club final, is also looking forward to seeing how his game progresses as the fortnight continues.
At the end of the match, Djokovic delivered one of his trademark “giving my heart” gestures to the Centre Court crowd to show them his appreciation.
Another Wimbledon tradition of Djokovic’s, when he’s won the title, has been to eat some of the grass on court. Winning Wimbledon has always been a dream of his since a small boy growing up in Serbia.
Tasting the grass is something Djokovic hopes to do again, perhaps even this year.
“I’ve always dreamed of winning Wimbledon. Kind of constructed little trophies when I was seven years old, eight years old, of Wimbledon, raising that trophy in front of the mirror, imagining myself to be a Wimbledon champion. That was always one of the biggest dreams.When I imagined myself doing that one day, I said, I must eat a grass. For some reason, I don't know why I picked that. The first time I've done it, it was the sweetest dessert I've ever tasted in my life. That experience hopefully I'll get to taste one more time before I finish my career.”
Djokovic next faces Horacio Zeballos in the second round.