One Wimbledon win in the bag, Djokovic over the ‘traces’ of Open saga

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 1 year ago

One Wimbledon win in the bag, Djokovic over the ‘traces’ of Open saga

By Scott Spits
Updated

London: Novak Djokovic says he is no longer feeling the effects of January’s drawn-out visa saga – which culminated in his deportation before the Australian Open – and the Wimbledon top seed is focusing all his energy on winning the grasscourt major for a seventh time.

Aware that the Wimbledon championships are shaping as the former world No.1’s only grand slam event for 11 months, Djokovic said the turbulence of 2022, highlighted by missed events in Australia and the United States, was moving to the background.

Firm in his stance not to get vaccinated against COVID-19, the 20-time major champion is expected to miss the US Open in New York due to entry requirements for the year’s final grand slam.

In London, the 35-year-old had some shaky moments in the first round against South Korean Soonwoo Kwon, but was victorious 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Asked about the reception from the Wimbledon centre court crowd, Djokovic was rapt.

“I was very pleasantly surprised, I mean, in a positive way. I felt support,” Djokovic said.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns to Korea’s Kwon Soonwoo.

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic returns to Korea’s Kwon Soonwoo.Credit: AP

“Of course, the crowd was engaged in the match. They supported both players. I thought they were very fair to me.”

The Serbian is drawing on the extra motivation of chasing more success at Wimbledon – an event he first won in 2011 – knowing that, on current projections, next year’s French Open could be the next major he plays.

Advertisement

“I’ve experienced something that I’ve never experienced in my life in Australia,” said Djokovic.

“So this post-Australian period of next several months was challenging emotionally for me because of a lot of different factors.”

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand against Soonwoo Kwon of South Korea.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a forehand against Soonwoo Kwon of South Korea.Credit: Getty

Djokovic began his season in Dubai in February, followed by European events and last month’s French Open where he was beaten by eventual champion Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals.

He said the “traces” of the first half of 2022 were gone.

“In terms of my motivation on the court, fulfilling my everyday chores, trying to win more titles and be one of the contenders for more grand slams, it hasn’t changed much, to be honest,” he said.

“I try to keep it together with the team in such way where we stick to the routines that we know that work for us.

“The sensation coming back on the court with everything that happened post-Australia, particularly first few tournaments, was different.

“It was a different feel. Not very pleasant to me. Right now I don’t feel the traces of that, so to say, any more. I move on. I play tournament by tournament.

“I try to make the most out of experience.”

Wimbledon’s rankings-free status and having a swag of players from Russia and Belarus absent due to the ban imposed by the All England Club has changed the complexion of the grasscourt event.

Wimbledon took its hardline stance against players such as world No.1 Daniil Medvedev over fears that any success by Russian stars could be used as propaganda Vladimir Putin following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In reaction, the powerful ATP and WTA player bodies removed rankings points from Wimbledon, effectively making it an exhibition event, albeit with lucrative prizemoney on offer.

On Monday, however, instead of shaping up for a first round Wimbledon match, Medvedev was busy in another green environment, swapping his racquet for the golf clubs.

Kokkinakis awaits Djokovic

Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis has achieved his best result on the London grass, setting up a second round showdown with Djokovic after downing Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak 7-6 (7-5), 6-2, 7-5.

With a first win at Wimbledon safely in his keeping, world No.79 Kokkinakis has another chance against one of the big three of men’s tennis.

Thanasi Kokkinakis celebrates during his first-round win.

Thanasi Kokkinakis celebrates during his first-round win.Credit: Getty

“I found myself in a good position sort of few years back I think against [Juan Martin] Del Potro,” reflected Kokkinakis on his slim career pickings on the SW19 courts.

“Been in qualifying kind of since then with some injuries and what not.

“Super happy to get that done in front of a pretty rowdy court 16.”

Andy Murray (right) proved too strong for Australia’s James Duckworth over four sets.

Andy Murray (right) proved too strong for Australia’s James Duckworth over four sets.Credit: Getty

The straight-sets Kokkinakis win was the highlight for the Australian contingent after James Duckworth, John Millman, Maddison Inglis and Max Purcell all went out. Purcell and Inglis pushed their opponents all the way, however.

Duckworth had the misfortune of a first-round centre court booking with two-time winner Andy Murray, going down 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Duckworth had been left muttering to the chair umpire about not being able to see properly as darkness crept in during the decisive third set, hoping for the roof to be closed.

However, the change was only eventually made near the end of that stanza at Murray’s request, leaving the Australian annoyed.

Despite a run of tour losses for Duckworth coinciding with hip surgery after the Australian Open, he found an admirer in tennis great John McEnroe, watching from the BBC commentary box.

“Hopefully, he can stay healthy for a while because I like the way he plays. After his career high, he’s had hard times – but there’s still hope at 30,” the American great said.

The words provided some consolation for Duckworth. “That’s pretty cool, Johnny Mac saying that,” Duckworth reflected.

“I’ve played some pretty good tennis in the last year and gradually been improving since my hip operation but I’m still not quite at the level I was last year, but I believe I can again.”

Qualifier Purcell went to five sets against tricky Frenchman Adrian Mannarino, his campaign ending despite a revival from two sets to love down. Regardless, the respected doubles player was drawing on the positives.

“I can play with the big boys,” said Purcell. “I definitely feel I should have walked off that court the winner, but shit happens.

“It hurts losing in five after having set points ... in three of the sets.”

Inglis lost to Hungary’s Dalma Galfi 7-5, 3-6, 4-6.

Veteran Millman went down in four sets to 25th seed Miomir Kecmanovic, of Serbia, 3-6, 6-2, 3-6, 4-6.

Other singles matches on the opening day at Wimbledon, which drew a capacity crowd for the first time since 2019, were put off due to multiple rain delays.

New world No.2 Ons Jabeur.

New world No.2 Ons Jabeur.Credit: Getty

Tunisian in new lofty status of world No.2

New world No.2 and Serena Williams’ latest doubles partner Ons Jabeur admits she thinks an elevation to the top billing in women’s tennis is possible, even though there is daylight and more between Iga Swiatek and the rest of the field.

The Tunisian, winner of two titles in 2022, jumped up to the number two spot on the freshly released rankings on day one at Wimbledon.

Loading

Jabeur, 27, is starting to feel that her record justifies her lofty spot.

“I’ve worked hard a lot. Struggling a bit before with the confidence. Tennis is a tricky sport. You can lose every week, which is not fun,” she said after a first-round win over Sweden’s Mirjam Bjorklund.

“Like I said before in the beginning of the season, I was like No. 10 and nine, I said, I belong in this ranking and I don’t feel I deserve the spot to be maybe five or four.

“Now I feel like I deserve it even more. I feel like I even gained and won matches to prove myself on this level.

“I do feel more confident. I do feel like I deserve to be in this level. Hopefully next step will be No. 1.”

News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.

Watch all the action from Wimbledon ad-free, live and on demand on Stan Sport, with matches streaming in 4K UHD from June 27. Coverage of select matches commences on 9GEM from 7.30pm (AEST) each night.

Most Viewed in Sport

Loading