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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Djokovic cruises past Evans in statement win
MUMBAI: After all these years, Novak Djokovic knew this particular Wimbledon tradition well. The post-match winner's on-court speech. Serbia's Novak Djokovic. (AFP) On Thursday, in front of packed stands on the fabled Centre Court of the All England Club, Djokovic stepped up to the microphone for the 99th time in his 20th year of competing at the Grand Slam in London. 'It means that I've been playing quite a long time,' Djokovic said. 'Nineteen times (reaching the third round at Wimbledon), that's probably almost as much as (Jannik) Sinner and (Carlos) Alcaraz have years in their life.' The mood in the post-match interview was jovial. But in that hour and 47 minutes just before, the seven-time Wimbledon champion was in no mood for fun. Days after he needed some 'magic pills' to help him overcome a stomach bug in the first-round match against Alexandre Muller, Djokovic played a solid game to pick up a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 win over British player Dan Evans. 'I had prepared well for the match,' he said. 'Technically, tactically, I knew what I needed to do. I executed it perfectly. Sometimes you have these kinds of days.' Djokovic hammered home 46 winners to Evans' 19, and committed 14 unforced errors to his opponent's 18. The serve, too, remained unbroken throughout the match. This was a statement win against an opponent who had beaten Djokovic the only time the duo had met previously, at the Monte Carlos Masters in 2021. For a man driven by statistics, there are quite a few on offer at Wimbledon this year for Djokovic. The win on Thursday takes him one step closer to a century of wins at Wimbledon. He's also one victory away from equalling Federer's record of 46 wins after turning 30. The one that counts though, for Djokovic, is winning a joint-men's record of eight titles at Wimbledon. He's also a Grand Slam title away from becoming the all-time most successful singles player at Majors. 'Wimbledon still stays the most special tournament in my heart, the one I always dreamed about winning when I was a kid. Any history made here is extra special for me,' Djokovic added. 'It's the beginning of the tournament. Yes, I am aware of the history on the line and I'm in a privileged position to do that. But at the same time, I'm thinking about the big things that I can make in this tournament.' At 38, Djokovic is in the twilight of his career. He is the holder of 24 Grand Slam titles, joint with Margaret Court. But he explained that he does not get time to dwell on all that he has achieved and what he still could. 'I don't pause to reflect. I don't have time. Being on the highest level of professional tennis requires a lot of dedication on a daily basis, on a weekly basis. We play a lot of tournaments, the season is non-stop,' he said. 'I don't reflect fully on everything I have been through. I would like to, but I think that is going to come when I set the racquet aside and sip margarita on the beach with Federer and (Rafael) Nadal, and just reflect on our rivalry and everything.' His greatest rivals have now been replaced by two younger stars who have so far kept him from reaching the elusive 25th Slam. But the world No.6 is still a force to be reckoned with, especially on the grass courts of Wimbledon. Thursday's win was a mere exhibition of all that he is still capable of. As he said, it's still early in the tournament, but the Djokovic machine seems to have found its rhythm at the opportune moment, with Sinner and Alcaraz lurking in the rounds ahead.
Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Novak Djokovic withdraws from Italian Open after losing three matches in a row
Novak Djokovic will not be seen in action at the Italian Open as the former world no 1's withdrawal from the event was announced on Tuesday. With the French Open approaching, the Serbian is hoping to contain his slump in form that has now seen him lose three games in a row. The three defeats include his loss in the final of the Miami Open to Jakub Mensik in straight sets, the Monte Carlos Masters loss — again in straight sets — to Alejandro Tabilo and finally the first round loss to world no 44 Matteo Arnaldi in Madrid. The 37-year-old is chasing his 100th career title. But he has not won a title on the ATP tour since the 2023 season-ending championships. His only triumph in 2024 came at the Paris Olympics. At the French Open, the Serb is looking to win his record-extending 25th Major. The current world no 5 was forced to withdraw mid-way through the year's first grand slam, the Australian Open, because of a torn hamstring muscle. At last year's French Open too, he had to exit mid-way after a knee injury that required surgery. The clay-court event in Rome, which is one of the tune-up events for players on the road to Roland Garros, announced via their social media handle that Djokovic will not be competing this year. The Italian Open's X handle wrote: 'See you next year, Nole.' After the defeat to Arnaldi, Djokovic had spoken of a 'new reality' for him. 'Kind of a new reality for me, I have to say. Trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament,' Djokovic said. 'It's a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis, so it's kind of a challenge for me mentally to really face these sensations on the court, going out early now regularly in the tournaments. But that's, I guess, the circle of life and the career, eventually it was going to happen. Now I'm trying to use this as a driving force for the future.' When asked after the opening round defeat at Madrid if it was the final time playing there, Djokovic replied: 'It could be. It could be. I'm not sure if I will come back. So, I don't know, I don't know what to say. I mean, I'll come back, maybe not as a player, of course. I hope it's not, but it could be.'
Indian Express
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Novak Djokovic rubbishes criticism of Carlos Alcaraz: ‘At 21, he has won four Grand Slams, what more do you want?'
An inconsistent run over the last nine months with a few unexpected losses has led to some pressure on Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old World No. 2 from Spain whose achievements have raised sky high expectations as the younger generation look set to take over men's tennis from the older lot. However, 24-time Major winner Novak Djokovic, leader and last man standing of the previous generation, feels any criticism directed towards his younger rival is entirely unfair, given everything he has already achieved by his age. 'No, I don't understand it (the criticism Alcaraz has faced),' Djokovic was quoted as saying by Eurosport Spain ahead of the Madrid Masters. 'But the atmosphere and tradition of tennis in this country is very high. The expectation is enormous after Nadal, (Carlos) Moya, (Juan Carlos) Ferrero… they've all been world No. 1. But, listen. He's 21 years old, he's won four Grand Slams and many tournaments. What more do you want? You want more, but what he's done in this period is incredible.' Alcaraz has hit some good form recently, winning the Monte Carlos Masters and reaching the final in Barcelona where he was beaten by Holger Rune. The Spanish sensation has done it 🇪🇸 @carlosalcaraz triumphs over Novak Djokovic, 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in an all-time classic #Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 16, 2023 Djokovic has arrived in Madrid chasing form for a potential 25th Major at Roland Garros. He's also on the hunt for a 100th career title. But after an indifferent few years on tour, he was asked if his motivation has fallen after seeing his rivals retire — one of them, Andy Murray has even joined up with him as his coach. The Serb said the fire still burns to make more history. 'Maybe so,' he said when asked if his motivation has reduced after seeing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal retire. 'But if I'm not motivated, I'm not here. I don't play anymore. I put the racquet to rest. I still feel the desire to play, the passion to compete is always there. I hope to push harder. The Grand Slams are tournaments where I have more motivation to do well,' the 37-year-old added.
