Tennis

Novak Djokovic, the second seed at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, has once again overcome a shaky start to reach the round of 16. On Saturday, he faced Alexei Popyrin in the third round, losing the opening set before rallying to claim victory.This win marked Djokovic's 50th Grand Slam match victory after turning 35, making him only the third player in the Open Era to achieve this feat after Ken Rosewall (64) and Roger Federer (62).The match was interrupted by a sudden eruption of cheers and applause from the Centre Court crowd, who had learned that England had reached the semifinals of the ongoing Euro 2024. Djokovic was initially startled, while Popyrin pulled out of his service routine.Both players saw the humor in the situation, with Djokovic mimicking taking a penalty and Popyrin acting as goalkeeper. The crowd's enthusiasm for England's success momentarily overshadowed the tennis match.After the match, Djokovic inquired about the score of the England game and joked about his mock penalty attempt. "I assumed it was a penalty shootout between England and Switzerland," he said. "I tried to shoot a penalty, I'm left-footed but Alexei defended it well."Despite the interruption, Djokovic remained focused and ultimately secured his place in the next round. His resilience and ability to overcome adversity once again proved his status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, is eagerly anticipating his fourth-round Wimbledon clash with Holger Rune, a rising star whose aggressive style of play mirrors Djokovic's own.Both players advanced to the second week of the tournament on Saturday. Rune, the No. 15 seed, overcame a two-set deficit to defeat qualifier Quentin Halys in a thrilling five-set encounter. Djokovic, the No. 2 seed, dispatched Alexei Popyrin in four sets on Centre Court.In a post-match press conference, Djokovic praised Rune's work ethic and dedication. "He's been a very dedicated guy," said Djokovic. "Once he sees something is off, he's going to go out on the practice court and he's going to work on it."Djokovic and Rune have built a strong rapport since their first meeting at the 2021 US Open. Rune, who has practiced with Djokovic earlier in the tournament, joked about requesting Court 18 for their upcoming match, where he staged his comeback against Halys."Definitely going to request Court 18 again next match," laughed Rune. "I'm joking."Rune acknowledged Djokovic's impressive form and expressed his determination to play at his best. "He seems like he's playing very well, feeling confident," said Rune. "Definitely have to play on my best level to have a chance to win, so that's what I'm going to try to do."The Djokovic-Rune clash promises to be a captivating spectacle, with both players known for their aggressive baseline play and relentless determination. Djokovic will be aiming to extend his dominance on grass, while Rune will be eager to prove that he can compete with the very best.

Elena Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion, is set to face Caroline Wozniacki in a highly anticipated third-round clash. Rybakina, known for her powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes, is the clear favorite on paper. However, Wozniacki, a former world No. 1, is a seasoned veteran who has proven her resilience time and again. Despite being 33 years old, Wozniacki remains a formidable opponent, as evidenced by her recent victory over Leylah Fernandez.Novak Djokovic, the six-time Wimbledon champion, faces a potential threat in Alexei Popyrin. Popyrin, ranked No. 47 in the world, has a big serve and forehand that could trouble Djokovic. However, Djokovic's experience and superior all-around game make him the heavy favorite. Djokovic has admitted that his right knee is still not fully healed, but he remains confident in his ability to overcome any challenges.Alexander Zverev, the No. 3 seed, will face Cam Norrie in another intriguing third-round matchup. Norrie, a rising star from Great Britain, has been in impressive form this season. He has reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in the past and will be looking to make a deep run again this year. Zverev, however, is a formidable opponent with a powerful serve and heavy groundstrokes. Norrie will need to play at his best to have a chance of upsetting the German.

The highly anticipated practice session between Novak Djokovic and Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon has been postponed due to a combination of wet weather and scheduling conflicts. Kyrgios, who is currently working as a commentator at the tournament, had expressed his excitement to warm up Djokovic for his next match. However, Djokovic ended up practicing with Taylor Fritz on Wednesday and his son Stefan on Thursday.Djokovic expressed optimism that the practice session with Kyrgios could still happen later in the week. The two players have developed a close friendship in recent years, despite their previous rivalry. Djokovic has been vocal in his support for Kyrgios, who has been struggling with injuries."He's been struggling a lot with injuries. Talking about major injuries, he's had a few. I've been very fortunate to not be away from tennis for long," Djokovic said after his opening Wimbledon match. "As an athlete, I empathize with Nick and anyone who's struggling. You almost feel helpless at times that something isn't allowing you to come back to what you love most, and you're unable to do your profession for years."Djokovic could potentially face Kyrgios' compatriot Alexei Popyrin in the third round of Wimbledon on Saturday. With so many Australians in his future, Djokovic joked that he might as well practice with Kyrgios.The postponement of the practice session is a disappointment for fans who were eager to see the two players on the court together. However, it is understandable given the circumstances. Djokovic and Kyrgios remain close friends, and it is likely that they will find a way to practice together later in the tournament.

Novak Djokovic, the seven-time Wimbledon champion, continued his impressive return to action at the 2024 Championships with a hard-fought 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 victory over British wild card Jacob Fearnley.Despite undergoing surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his right knee just weeks ago, Djokovic showed no signs of rust as he dominated the opening two sets. However, Fearnley, making his Grand Slam main draw debut, put up a spirited fight, breaking Djokovic's serve for the first time in the tournament to take the third set.Undeterred, Djokovic regained control in the fourth set, saving two break points in the sixth game and breaking Fearnley's serve in the 10th game to seal the victory.Djokovic's performance was a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite the injury setback, he has returned to the court with the same level of intensity and focus that has made him one of the greatest players of all time.Fearnley, on the other hand, can take heart from his performance against one of the sport's legends. The 22-year-old showed glimpses of his potential, hitting some impressive shots and putting Djokovic under pressure at times.With the victory, Djokovic advances to the third round, where he will face either No. 30 seed Tomás Martín Etcheverry or Aussie Alexei Popyrin. The Serb will be looking to continue his impressive run at Wimbledon and add to his record-breaking tally of Grand Slam titles.

British tennis prodigy Jacob Fearnley has made history by defeating both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in his junior days. Now, he faces the daunting task of taking on seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic in the second round.Fearnley's journey to Wimbledon has been unconventional. After graduating from high school, he opted to pursue a college tennis career in the United States at Texas Christian University. There, he helped his team win the national championships and honed his skills on the grass courts.Despite his impressive junior record, Fearnley acknowledges the vast gap between himself and the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner, who have ascended to the top of the ATP rankings. "The strides they've taken in their games have been a lot more than myself," he said.Fearnley's Wimbledon debut was a memorable one. He secured his first Grand Slam match win against Alejandro Moro Canas, showcasing his prowess on grass. Prior to that, he had won a Challenger event in Nottingham, further demonstrating his adaptability to the surface.Now, Fearnley faces the ultimate challenge: defeating Djokovic, who is seeking a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title. The Serb has won 24 Grand Slams and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time."I have no idea," Fearnley admitted when asked how he planned to upset Djokovic. "I've watched so many videos of him. It doesn't look like there's many flaws in his game. I'm going to just try and enjoy it, put my game out on the court and see what happens."Djokovic, for his part, acknowledged his lack of knowledge about Fearnley. "I haven't seen him hit. So I'll have to do my homework," he said.In a separate development, Djokovic began his Wimbledon campaign with a straight-sets victory over Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva. Despite undergoing knee surgery last month, Djokovic displayed impressive movement and did not face a break point throughout the match.

Wimbledon 2023 is set to witness the return of two tennis legends, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, who have both recently undergone surgeries. Djokovic, aiming for a record-equaling eighth Wimbledon title, will face Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva in his opening match. Murray, a two-time champion, will take on another Czech, Tomas Machac, in what could be his farewell appearance at the tournament.Djokovic, who underwent knee surgery after withdrawing from the French Open, has declared himself "pain-free" and eager to compete. The Serbian is determined to match Roger Federer's Wimbledon record and become the first player to win 25 Grand Slam singles titles. Despite not winning a title this season, Djokovic remains a formidable opponent, having reached the past five Wimbledon finals.Murray, on the other hand, has been battling injuries and underwent surgery to remove a cyst from his spine just over a week before the tournament. The 37-year-old is hoping to make a final appearance at Wimbledon before retiring. He will face Machac, who leads 2-0 in their head-to-head encounters.Also in action on Tuesday is world number one Iga Swiatek, who is seeking to progress beyond the quarter-finals at Wimbledon for the first time. The Polish star has won five trophies this year but has not played a warm-up tournament on grass. She will face Sofia Kenin, whom she defeated in the first round of the Australian Open earlier this year.

Novak Djokovic's remarkable journey from a war-torn childhood to the pinnacle of tennis is a testament to his unwavering determination and unique approach to life. Mark Hodgkinson's biography, "Searching for Novak," delves into the Serb's extraordinary life, revealing the key factors that have shaped his success both on and off the court.Djokovic's early years were marked by adversity. As an 11-year-old, he spent 78 nights in a bomb shelter during NATO's bombing of Serbia. This experience left a profound impact on him, fueling his rage and determination to succeed. However, Djokovic eventually chose to forgive and move on, a decision that would prove pivotal in his personal and professional growth.In his quest for inner peace, Djokovic embraced alternative paths, including a gluten-free diet, meditation, and spiritual practices. He believed in the power of positive thinking and the ability to control his body and mind. This open-mindedness led him to explore unconventional beliefs, such as the healing properties of "pyramid water" and the power of telepathy.Despite the skepticism surrounding some of his beliefs, Djokovic's unwavering commitment to his health philosophy has played a significant role in his success. He has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is possible, both physically and mentally. His ability to recover from setbacks and injuries has been remarkable, as evidenced by his decision to delay elbow surgery for months and his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine.Djokovic's unique approach to life has also drawn criticism and controversy. His association with controversial figures in Serbia and his outspoken views on vaccination have alienated some fans. However, Hodgkinson argues that Djokovic's desire to be liked and accepted stems from his own vulnerability and his understanding of the challenges faced by his country.Despite the controversies, Djokovic remains a respected figure in the tennis world. His ability to overcome adversity, his unwavering belief in himself, and his willingness to explore unconventional paths have made him an inspiration to many. As he approaches the twilight of his career, Djokovic's legacy will be defined not only by his record-breaking achievements but also by his unique journey and his unwavering pursuit of personal growth.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, is determined to be fit for Wimbledon despite a recent knee injury. The Serbian star was spotted practicing at the All England Club on Monday, a week before the main draw begins.Djokovic underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee after withdrawing from the Roland Garros quarterfinals. He has been sharing videos of his progress on social media, and he appeared to be moving well during his practice session.The 37-year-old Djokovic is bidding to win his eighth Wimbledon title, having finished runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz in last year's final. Alcaraz, who won the French Open this year for his third major title, was also seen training at Wimbledon.Alcaraz won't have the same preparation as he did a year ago when he lifted the trophy at the Queen's Club. The 21-year-old was ousted by home favorite Jack Draper in the second round of the London-based ATP 500 event.Other notable players spotted at Wimbledon include Jannik Sinner, who recently surpassed Djokovic in the ATP rankings, and Rafael Nadal, who is seeking his third Wimbledon title.Wimbledon qualifying began on Monday at Roehampton, with the main draw set to start on June 27.