3 days ago
Wimbledon: After shaky 1st-round win, Novak Djokovic sends strong message to doubters
Novak Djokovic needed four sets to overcome unseeded Frenchman Alexandre Muller 6-1, 6-7(7), 6-2, 6-2 in a shaky opening-round match at Wimbledon. The seven-time champion battled a stomach bug and required medical attention on court on Monday, but the Serb managed to get the job done and secure his place in the second edition of Wimbledon hasn't been particularly kind to seeded players. After Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune fell on the opening day, it was French Open champion Coco Gauff who was ousted in the first round on Monday. When Djokovic's rhythm dipped in the second set and he called for medical assistance, there were uneasy faces-mostly Serbian-in the crowd. But Djokovic allayed those fears, found his range, and ensured he wasn't dragged into a Read: Coco Gauff and Alexander Zverev make shock first-round exit
The Serb needed less than 45 minutes to take the opening set, but required medical intervention in the second. He was seen holding his chest when leading 2-1, before errors began creeping into his game. Djokovic dropped the second set in a tie-break. Shaky at the start of the third, the 24-time Grand Slam champion took two more medical timeouts before regaining control. Muller, for his part, failed to capitalise on Djokovic's vulnerability, conceding a break with a double fault at the start of the third set and never runner-up in the last two editions, claimed his 20th consecutive first-round win at the grass-court Grand Slam. The Serb expressed satisfaction at how he was able to problem-solve midway through the match and navigate the challenging conditions in went from feeling my absolute best for a set and a half to my absolute worst for about 45 minutes," Djokovic said."Whether it was a stomach bug-I struggled with that-but then the energy kicked back after the doctor's miracle pills and I managed to finish the match on a good note."The man is backNovak Djokovic takes down Alexandre Muller 6-1, 6-7 (7), 6-2, 6-2 to reach R2 at #Wimbledon Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2025EARNED THE RIGHT has not won a Grand Slam title since lifting the US Open trophy in 2023. After back-to-back semi-final exits in the season's first two majors, he had marked London as the ideal stage to break his duck and claim a record-equalling 25th Grand Slam lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the past two finals at the All England Club, Djokovic was candid about the challenge ahead."In the last six editions of this event, I've played six finals. I always enjoy myself on this court-except when I've played Alcaraz the last couple of years," he the Serb sent a firm message to his doubters, insisting he wouldn't be in London if he didn't believe he could go all the wouldn't be here if I didn't think I have a chance, to be honest. I think I always have a chance. I've earned the right to really feel like I can go all the way to the title. I've had arguably the most consistent success of any Grand Slam here at Wimbledon over the last decade."Djokovic, who shares the same half of the draw as Jannik Sinner, will face British wildcard and seasoned pro Daniel Evans in the second round.- EndsMust Watch
