Novak Djokovic's Wimbledon opponent throws ball at him after incredible point
Djokovic conjured up a 6-3 6-0 6-4 victory over his fellow Serbian on Centre Court but there was one moment in the first set that had fans on their feet.
The two players produced an epic rally at deuce in the eighth game, with Djokovic coming out on top to hand himself a key break point opportunity.
'In all his years at Wimbledon, he won't have played many finer rallies than that!' Andrew Cotter said on commentary duties for the BBC.
Kecmanovic was seen jokingly throwing a ball at his friend Djokovic after the rally, which was very much light-hearted to entertain the SW19 crowd.
Speaking after the match, Djokovic said: 'It is never easy playing a friend and fellow patriot.
'We are friends and [Davis Cup] teammates – I wish him the best.'
Meanwhile, Djokovic admits there was 'some tension' at the end of the match with the 24-time major champion seen shaking his head as a few spectators were told off for shouting out while he waited to serve.
'I have enjoyed myself very much apart from the last couple of games [of the match],' Djokovic added.
'It was good to close it out in the end. There was some tension and things got a bit complicated.'
Former British No.1 Tim Henman was left blown away by Djokovic's performance and felt it was a 'statement to the rest of the draw', which includes title rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
'He was hitting his spots, dictating from the back of the court and he was able to hit so aggressively without making unforced errors,' Henman told the BBC.
'He had one slight wobble at the end, serving for the match at 5-2 and lost it, but he still finished it off in three straight sets and I think he will be delighted with his progress to the fourth round.
'Djokovic's level was just absolutely phenomenal and that is when you realise that on grass he is one of the favourites. At the age of 38, on the hard courts and clay courts it is getting harder and harder between Sinner, Alcaraz and the rest.
'But the seven-time champion, when he puts in performances like today, then I think it is a statement to the rest of the draw.'
Djokovic's victory over Kecmanovic was his 100th at Wimbledon with only Martina Navratilova (120) and Roger Federer (105) winning more singles matches at the Championships. More Trending
'That sounds very nice,' Djokovic continued. 'I am very grateful and privileged to be in this position.
'Tennis made me who I am and has given me incredible things in life. I never take anything for granted, especially at this age.
'I am still pushing myself to the limits and getting some splits and slides on the court.
'Wimbledon is a dream tournament of so many of us players. Any history here is a blessing.'
MORE: Wimbledon player concedes point after 'unfortunate' wardrobe malfunction
MORE: Wimbledon champion breaks down in tears on court moments before crashing out
MORE: Jannik Sinner reacts to breaking Roger Federer's Wimbledon record in Open Era
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
6 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Wimbledon briefing: Saturday recap and order of play on a big day for Britain
Attention turns back to British hopes on Sunday, with Sonay Kartal and Cameron Norrie both targeting a quarter-final berth. Here, the PA news agency looks back at Saturdays's action and previews day seven of the Championships. Djokovic's ton Novak Djokovic brought up a big milestone on Centre Court (Mike Egerton/PA) Novak Djokovic brought up a century of Wimbledon wins as he moved smoothly into the fourth round. The 38-year-old eased past fellow Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3 6-0 6-4 on Centre Court. Djokovic is now just five wins behind Wimbledon's only other male centurion, his great rival Roger Federer on 105 match victories. 'Very historic, it sounds very nice,' he said. 'Wimbledon is a favourite tournament, not just for myself but for most players. Any history I make at my favourite tournament, I'm blessed.' Sinner sails through Jannik Sinner has barely broken a sweat in SW19 (Mike Egerton/PA) Jannik Sinner continued to navigate a serene course through the choppy waters of Wimbledon with another straight-sets win. Pedro Martinez was his latest victim, the Spanish world number 52 – who was carrying a shoulder injury – winning just five games in a 6-1 6-3 6-1 defeat on Centre Court. In reaching the fourth round, the 23-year-old Italian has dropped only 17 games from his three matches. Roger Federer previously held the record for the least games lost in the first three rounds at Wimbledon, 19 in 2004. Brit watch Sonay Kartal is in high spirits ahead of her first appearance in the last 16 of a grand slam (Mike Egerton/PA) The last home singles players standing are the British number threes. Sonay Kartal's best grand slam result has already been secured and she will now look to become the first home female player to reach the last eight since Johanna Konta in 2019 – and only the second since 1984 – when she takes on Russian veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Cameron Norrie has been here before and the 2022 semi-finalist faces Chilean qualifier Nicolas Jarry on Court One – where Norrie enjoys an 8-1 record. Match of the day Carlos Alcaraz has not been at his best so far (John Walton/PA) Carlos Alcaraz has not looked at his imperious best on his way to the last 16. But the defending champion will have to find a higher level on Sunday against the dangerous Russian Andrey Rublev. Rublev has won one of their previous three meetings – on the clay in Madrid last year – and has powered his way through to the fourth round at Wimbledon for the third time. Alcaraz could be in for a tricky evening on Centre Court. Order of play Centre Court (from 1.30pm) Sonay Kartal v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Aryna Sabalenka (1) v Elise Mertens (24) Carlos Alcaraz (2) v Andrey Rublev (14) Court One (from 1pm) Taylor Fritz (5) v Jordan Thompson Cameron Norrie v Nicolas Jarry (Q) Amanda Anisimova (13) v Linda Noskova (30) Weather Cloudy changing to light showers by late morning, with a maximum temperature of 24C, according to the Met Office.
Daily Mirror
30 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Wimbledon winner was left penniless and forced to sell trophies plus £9m house
Few sporting greats have experienced the highs and lows that Boris Becker has, with the three-time Wimbledon winner navigating fame, financial turmoil, and personal challenges Boris Becker, the tennis legend who won Wimbledon three times, was once a global icon with a fortune built on Grand Slam titles and endorsements. At his peak, his wealth reached an estimated £100million, but a series of reckless financial decisions and legal troubles left him bankrupt. He was forced to auction his cherished trophies and surrender his lavish Mallorcan mansion, as his life of luxury crumbled before his eyes. This is the story of Becker's dramatic fall and his struggle to rebuild. Becker's career was nothing short of extraordinary. Bursting onto the scene in 1985, he became Wimbledon's youngest men's singles champion at 17, a record that still stands. His ferocious serve-and-volley style and unrelenting intensity secured six Grand Slam titles - three Wimbledons (1985, 1986, 1989), two Australian Opens (1991, 1996), and a US Open (1989). His charisma and flair made him a global star, commanding millions in sponsorships. After retiring in 1999, Becker transitioned into coaching, most notably guiding Novak Djokovic from 2013 to 2016. Under his mentorship, Djokovic won six Grand Slams, cementing Becker's reputation as a shrewd tactician and expert technician. He also became a familiar voice at Wimbledon as a BBC commentator and pundit, where his sharp insights and first-hand experience captivated audiences. The unravelling began when Becker was declared bankrupt in 2017 over an unpaid £3m loan tied to his sprawling Mallorcan estate, known as 'The Finca.' Purchased in 1997 for £500,000, the 10,000-square-foot villa in Alaro, Mallorca, boasted seven bedrooms, a swimming pool, a tennis court, and a basketball court. Valued at £9m at its peak, it was a symbol of his success - until it became a financial albatross. Becker poured millions into renovations, but by 2018, he had abandoned the property, leaving it a "dilapidated ghost house" with graffiti-covered walls and a collapsed roof. In 2020, he handed over the keys to a British bank to settle debts, marking a low point in his saga. The losses mounted, and to clear his debts, Becker's tennis trophies - symbols of his six Grand Slam victories - were auctioned off. In 2018, 82 items, including a replica of the 1985 Wimbledon trophy, fetched £700,000. The sale was a painful reminder of how far the German had fallen, as he parted with the relics of his glory days to appease creditors. Becker's financial woes were compounded by legal troubles. In 2022, he was convicted of hiding £2.5m in assets and loans to avoid paying debts, violating UK insolvency laws. The charges related to undisclosed assets, including a £1m German property and tech firm shares. Found guilty on four counts, Becker was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. He served eight months at HMP Wandsworth and Huntercombe before his release and deportation to Germany in December 2022. The trial laid bare his financial mismanagement, with prosecutors highlighting his attempts to sustain a lavish lifestyle despite crippling debts. Becker's personal life has also been turbulent. Twice married, he has four children from past relationships and last month, at 57, Becker announced he was expecting his fifth child with his 35-year-old wife, Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro. The couple, married in a lavish 2022 Italian ceremony, have faced public scrutiny, but Lilian has remained a steadfast supporter through Becker's legal and financial battles. Despite his setbacks, Becker is fighting to get his life back on track. Since his release, he has returned to tennis commentary and his family, particularly Lilian, provides a foundation for his recovery. Yet, the Mallorcan mansion, now a derelict shell, and the auctioned trophies stand as stark reminders of his fall. Becker's journey - from Wimbledon's youngest champion to a cautionary tale of excess - reflects the fragility of fame and fortune. With a new child on the way and no longer bankrupt, he stands at a crossroads, determined to rewrite his story, chasing redemption with the same ferocity that once made him a titan of the tennis world.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Wimbledon briefing: Saturday recap and order of play on a big day for Britain
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner continued on their semi-final collision course with routine wins at Wimbledon on Saturday. Attention turns back to British hopes on Sunday, with Sonay Kartal and Cameron Norrie both targeting a quarter-final berth. Here, the PA news agency looks back at Saturdays's action and previews day seven of the Championships. Djokovic's ton Novak Djokovic brought up a century of Wimbledon wins as he moved smoothly into the fourth round. The 38-year-old eased past fellow Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3 6-0 6-4 on Centre Court. Djokovic is now just five wins behind Wimbledon's only other male centurion, his great rival Roger Federer on 105 match victories. 'Very historic, it sounds very nice,' he said. 'Wimbledon is a favourite tournament, not just for myself but for most players. Any history I make at my favourite tournament, I'm blessed.' Sinner sails through Jannik Sinner continued to navigate a serene course through the choppy waters of Wimbledon with another straight-sets win. Pedro Martinez was his latest victim, the Spanish world number 52 – who was carrying a shoulder injury – winning just five games in a 6-1 6-3 6-1 defeat on Centre Court. In reaching the fourth round, the 23-year-old Italian has dropped only 17 games from his three matches. Roger Federer previously held the record for the least games lost in the first three rounds at Wimbledon, 19 in 2004. Brit watch The last home singles players standing are the British number threes. Sonay Kartal's best grand slam result has already been secured and she will now look to become the first home female player to reach the last eight since Johanna Konta in 2019 – and only the second since 1984 – when she takes on Russian veteran Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Cameron Norrie has been here before and the 2022 semi-finalist faces Chilean qualifier Nicolas Jarry on Court One – where Norrie enjoys an 8-1 record. Match of the day Carlos Alcaraz has not looked at his imperious best on his way to the last 16. But the defending champion will have to find a higher level on Sunday against the dangerous Russian Andrey Rublev. Rublev has won one of their previous three meetings – on the clay in Madrid last year – and has powered his way through to the fourth round at Wimbledon for the third time. Alcaraz could be in for a tricky evening on Centre Court. Order of play Centre Court (from 1.30pm) Sonay Kartal v Anastasia PavlyuchenkovaAryna Sabalenka (1) v Elise Mertens (24)Carlos Alcaraz (2) v Andrey Rublev (14) Court One (from 1pm) Taylor Fritz (5) v Jordan ThompsonCameron Norrie v Nicolas Jarry (Q)Amanda Anisimova (13) v Linda Noskova (30) Weather Cloudy changing to light showers by late morning, with a maximum temperature of 24C, according to the Met Office.
