By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Novak Djokovic responded from June knee surgery streaking into his 19th Wimbledon second-round with a commanding opening-round win.
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport
Knee surgery created physical doubt, but no identity crisis in Novak Djokovic.
In his improbable Wimbledon return, Djokovic was the imposing Djokovic we all know.
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In a statement start, Djokovic slashes aces to open and close an impressive 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 shredding of Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva in a rousing Wimbledon return.
Moving fluidly in all directions, Djokovic scored his 19th consecutive Wimbledon first-round win with a record-extending 371st Grand Slam match victory. Djokovic covered the court with confidence, slid into shots and was decisive finishing forward: He won 17 of 21 trips to net.
“Practice week, as I was mentioning before, went great. Obviously match play, official match on the Centre Court, something completely different," Djokovic told the media at Wimbledon. "I didn't know how I'm going to feel on the court and how knee is going to hold up.
"But very happy, very happy with the way I felt, with the way I played, with the way I moved. For an opening match, I couldn't ask for a better start."
Coming off arthroscopic surgery to repair his torn medial meniscus in his right knee on Wednesday, June 5th in Paris, Djokovic has shown remarkable recovery at SW19.
Sending a shout-out to his surgeon after his victory, Djokovic spent much of this match showing his own remedy for a recovering knee.
Surgical-serving and first-strike tennis took some stress off the 37-year-old Serbian superstar’s legs and helped him squeeze the qualifier.
In a jolting serving performance, Djokovic served 67 percent, won 90 percent of his first-serve points (35 of 39 first-serve points), pounded 10 aces against 2 double faults and did not face a single break point.
It all added up to Djokovic’s 35th win in his last 36 Wimbledon matches. He is now 93-11 lifetime at SW19.
In his first Centre court appearance since Carlos Alcaraz snapped his 34-match Wimbledon winning streak, Djokovic launched his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam crown competing with clarity and efficiency—and by avoiding dwelling on the state of his knee.
“I try to really focus on the game and not really think too much about the knee,” Djokovic said. “Everything that I could possibly do, I’ve done—along with my team—in the last three-and-a-half weeks in order to give myself a chance to play in front of you here today.
“So I think if it was for any other tournament, I probably wouldn’t risk it, probably wouldn’t rush it as much. I just love Wimbledon. I love coming back here.”
Granted, the Grand Slam king was facing the world No. 123 seeking his first major win in his maiden Wimbledon main-draw debut.
Still, seeing Djokovic play like Djokovic so soon after a procedure his own surgeon predicted would likely prevent him from playing Wimbledon gives even greater appreciation for the acrobatic Serbian superstar’s resilience.
Whether he’s wearing a crocodile on his shirt, a brace on his knee or a blindfold over one eye, put Djokovic on the Centre Court lawn and you will get his best.
“I want to thank my surgeon again for doing a great job. Without him doing his job well things would be a bit complicated,” Djokovic said. “I had one surgery in my career on my elbow about six or seven years ago.
“I’ve been fortunate really, probably comparing myself to other 37 year olds in our sport or other sports to be able to play on the highest level for so many years and avoid really major injuries. I had injuries like anybody else but they come and go. It’s part of what you do. You have to just accept it and embrace it.”
Remember, Djokovic is all about resurgence.
Last September, Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 to become the oldest man in Open Era history to win the US Open. Djokovic captured his 24th Grand Slam title matching Margaret Court's all-time major mark.
Today, Djokovic launched his 75th career Grand Slam playing for an eighth Wimbledon crown, which would equal rival Roger Federer’s mark and make him the oldest man to win Wimbledon.
While all eyes were riveted on Djokovic’s surgically-repaired right knee, which was wrapped in gray taping, his right arm commanded attention at the outset.
The seven-time champion threw down two aces and a serve winner blasting through the opening love hold.
"I did check [on gray brace]. I actually just met chairwoman just before walking onto the court. She gave me thumbs up, so it was okay," Djokovic said. "Of course, we did check in the days prior if we have a permission. We're trying to find a white one, trust me. I saw Frances Tiafoe played, he had actually a black color sleeve. Gray, I think it's maybe slightly better towards the white.
"Yeah, I know it's not ideal. I like to go all white and I like to respect the rules. But I got the permission. I said to them that I will give our best for next match the white one."
Eighteen minutes into the match, Djokovic put his knee to the test and conjured sliding brilliance. Djokovic whipped a running forehand winner down one sideline before burning a sliding backhand strike down the opposite sideline for a third break point.
Qualifier Kopriva fought off five break points as the fourth game escalated past 12 minutes.
Dabbing a forehand dropper gave Djokovic a sixth break point. Sliding into a near split, Djokovic flicked a backhand and when Kopriva netted a drop shot the second-seeded Serbian scored the break.
Speeding through his second love hold, Djokovic stretched his lead to 4-1.
Once Djokovic recognized Kopriva wasn’t doing damage with his forehand, he spread the court and steamed ahead. Djokovic reeled off 14 points in a row and exhaled deeply as he walked to his court-side seat with a one-set lead after 34 minutes.
The Djokovic serve—one of his most under-valued weapons—saved him a lot of leg work today. Djokovic slammed a serve out wide sealing a two-set lead after 78 minutes of play.
Untouchable on serve and dictating the direction of baseline rallies, Djokovic stamped his sixth break of the day for a 5-2 third-set lead.
Serving for the second round, Djokovic slammed down successive aces closing a one hour, 58-minute win with some big bangs and a wide smile to his box.
Afterward, Djokovic acknowledged both ESPN analyst Nick Kyrgios, whom he beat in the 2022 Wimbledon final, and two-time champion and Andy Murray, who withdrew from the singles draw today.
“Nick Kyrgios is there in the commentary box right there who has been struggling a lot with injuries,” Djokovic said. “Talking about major injuries he has had quite a few. As I’ve said I’ve been fortunate to not really be away from the tennis for so long.
“As an athlete I empathize with Nick or anything who is struggling it's tough you almost feel helpless at times something is not allowing you to comeback to what you love the most.”
After wrapping first-round revival, Djokovic said he hopes to see resurgence in his friend and rival.
“So there’s been a few examples like Andy Murray withdrawing which is a great blow to the tournament, it's unfortunate,” Djokovic said. “I have great respect for him for all he has done for this tournament for this sport, I just hope he will be able to finish his career on his terms. I heard he is going to play doubles hopefully he is going to give it another shot next year in singles.
“I send him my best. I came back after three and a half weeks but still it's worth acknowledging all these athletes who are struggling.”
Next up for Djokovic is British wild card Jacob Fearnley.