Wimbledon: Defending champion Djokovic sovereign after slight starting difficulties
The world number one Novak Djokovic started his mission to defend his title at Wimbledon with slight teething troubles.
by SID
last edit: Jun 28, 2021, 04:49 pm
The 34-year-old Serb, who had already won the Grand Slam tournaments in Melbourne and Paris this year, was caught cold in his opening match by the initially furious British wildcard starter Jack Draper (19) - after exactly two hours he sat down Djokovic but sovereign with 4: 6, 6: 1, 6: 2, 6: 2.
Since the Center Court in Wimbledon has a roof, Djokovic's first round game was not affected by the several hours postponement due to rain on Monday. In the second round, the five-time tournament winner in the All England Club will meet the Chilean qualifier Marcelo Barrios or the South African Kevin Anderson, whom Djokovic had defeated in the Wimbledon final in 2018.
The 19-time Grand Slam champion is chasing several records in London. With another major title, he would draw level with the record holders Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (both 20). Djokovic is also aiming for the Golden Slam - winning all four Grand Slam tournaments and Olympic gold in one year. So far, only the German tennis icon Steffi Graf had succeeded in 1988.
Here the single tableau in Wimbledon
wimmap