(Tennis news) On Wednesday,Novak Djokovic defeated Jordan Thompson in the second round of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships in straight sets, securing his place in the tournament’s third round. Stan Wawrinka, meanwhile, will play Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the second round.
If he defeats the Argentine, he would face Novak Djokovic for the 27th time on the tour. The 23-time Grand Slam champion leads the head-to-head 20-6, however, two of Wawrinka’s six victories came in Major finals, at the 2015 French Open and 2016 US Open.
During his news conference at SW19 on Wednesday, Djokovic made light of the fact that Wawrinka had robbed him of two Grand Slams. The second-ranked player in the world was quick to laud the Swiss player, calling him a “great” individual who was constantly motivational for the kind of tenacity he demonstrated on the court.
“Well, he took away two Grand Slams from me. That’s the role he played (in my career), beating me in two Grand Slam finals (smiling). No, I like Stan a lot. He’s a great person. Really always inspirational about what he’s doing at his age. He’s almost 40 years old. and he still keeps going strong. That’s something that not many people can do,” Djokovic said.
“After several surgeries of his knees, he keeps going strong and trying to create some more history for himself and tennis. We cannot forget that he’s a three-time Grand Slam champion and Davis Cup winner and also Olympic gold. He had a fantastic career,” he added.
The three-time Grand Slam champion’s stunning one-handed backhand also leaves the seven-time Wimbledon champion in awe; he calls it one of the nicest he’s faced.
Djokovic believes it will be wonderful to see a veteran-versus-veteran matchup on tour once more after a long time, therefore he hopes Wawrinka defeats Etcheverry and advances to the third round against him.
“That’s why I think it’s something that is very admirable and very impressive that after the difficulties, physical difficulties. He has been through in the last five, six, seven years. He still refuses to give up and still keeps going,” Djokovic said.
“One of the nicest one-handed backhands that I have ever played against, ever seen. Very powerful player. Very strong. Very complete. He can play equally well on all surfaces. I hope we get to play against each other because we haven’t faced in quite some time. It will be the duel of the veterans of the tour if it comes to that,” he added.
The 2023 Wimbledon Championships will mark the first Grand Slam in Novak Djokovic’s career when he will hold the sole lead in the race for Slam titles after surpassing Rafael Nadal’s total of 22 at the just-concluded French Open.
The former World No. 1 is under pressure every time he competes in a Grand Slam, so this does not imply there will be no pressure on him at SW19. Nevertheless, the Serb views it favourably and uses it as inspiration to write further history.
“No, not at all. Every time I walk out on the court, particularly in Grand Slams and center courts, I feel, of course, tremendous pressure and expectations from myself, from people around that are watching live or on TV, the whole tennis world, right?” Djokovic said.
“It’s a feeling that I’m used to by now, and it’s something that I also embrace because it’s giving me further motivation to strive to make more history,” he added.
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