Djokovic eases through Wimbledon opener

Novak Djokovic enjoyed a confidence-boosting victory to kick-start his latest Wimbledon campaign on Tuesday, when the seven-time champion breezed past Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.

Djokovic’s preparations for this year’s edition of the grass-court major were hampered after he underwent knee surgery early last month, but the 37-year-old showed no sign of discomfort as he cruised to a one-hour, 58-minute first-round victory under the Centre Court roof. The Serbian broke his opponent’s serve twice in each set to improve to 19-0 in first-round matches at SW19.

“It was very good. I was very pleased with the way I moved on the court today,” said Djokovic in his on-court interview. “Obviously coming into Wimbledon this year, it was a little bit of a different circumstance for me because of the knee. I didn’t know how everything was going to unfold on the court really. Practice sessions are quite different to official match play, so I’m just extremely glad about the way I played and the way I felt today.”

Great start 🫡@djokernole begins his quest for an 8th #wimbledon title in style! @wimbledon pic.twitter.com/poaKtkYAv6

— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 2, 2024

The 27-year-old Kopriva, who prior to Tuesday had played his only professional tennis on grass at Wimbledon qualifying in 2022, 2023 and this year, was unable to deal with the consistency of his illustrious opponent. Djokovic made just 16 unforced errors across three sets, and finished the match having won 90 per cent (35/39) of points behind his first serve.

While 24-time major champion Djokovic was a heavy favourite as he lined up against the No. 123 in the PIF ATP Rankings Kopriva, the Serbian’s recovery from the knee injury that forced him to withdraw from Roland Garros brought greater intrigue to the pair’s maiden Lexus ATP Head2Head clash. Yet Djokovic moved well throughout the match, and showed no hesitation in gliding around the All England Club grass.

“I tried to really focus on the game and not really think too much about the knee,” said Djokovic. “Everything I could possibly do, I have done, along with my team, in the past three and a half weeks in order to give myself a chance to be able to play. I think if it was for any other tournament, I probably wouldn’t risk it or rush it as much, but I just love Wimbledon.”

Now 19-6 for the year, Djokovic will next take on home wild card Jacob Fearnley, a 7-5, 6-4, 7-6(12) winner against qualifier Alejandro Moro Canas, as he bids to equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon crowns.