Novak Djokovic ’embracing’ the pressure ‘to make more history’
Novak Djokovic has spoken about the ‘tremendous pressure and expectations’ he faces, as the Serb looks to win a fifth consecutive Wimbledon title.
Djokovic is into the third round at SW19 for the 17th time in his career, following a straight sets victory over Jordan Thompson, 6-3 7-6(4) 7-5.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion’s match was onlooked by the likes of David Beckham, and he spoke about the pressure he feels every time he steps out onto Centre Court.
“Every time I walk out on the court, particularly in Grand Slams and centre courts, I feel tremendous pressure and expectations from myself, people around that are watching live or on TV and the whole tennis world,” revealed Djokovic.
He continued, “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. Regardless of the Grand Slam count fact, I still want to make my own results and my own journey. I’m still playing the sport that I fell in love with when I was very young. I think that is very refreshing.”
Football icon David Beckham soaking in the Centre Court action#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/sfwex9tZ63
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2023
The 36-year-old has had some fitness issues this year, but he revealed that he is feeling ‘fortunate and blessed to have a healthy body’ at the moment.
“The body’s responding differently,” said Djokovic. “I still have to say that I’m really fortunate and blessed to have a healthy body. Still at this stage, after 20 years of professional tennis, I’m able to compete at the highest level.”
Djokovic will play his third round match tomorrow against three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, as he looks to continue his bid for more history.
Novak Djokovic and his dominance at Wimbledon
Djokovic is bidding to make more history at Wimbledon this year and equal Roger Federer’s eight Wimbledon titles, so we at Tennishead wanted to look back on his dominance at SW19 over the years:
Novak Djokovic win-loss record at Wimbledon: 88-10 (90%)
The Serb’s seven final victories:
- Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal, 6-4 6-1 1-6 6-3 (2011)
- Djokovic beat Roger Federer, 6(7)-7 6-4 7-6(4) 5-7 6-4 (2014)
- Djokovic beat Roger Federer, 7-6(1) 6(10)-7 6-4 6-3 (2015)
- Djokovic beat Kevin Anderson, 6-2 6-2 7-6(3) (2018)
- Djokovic beat Roger Federer, 7-6(5) 1-6 7-6(4) 4-6 13-12(3) (2019)
- Djokovic beat Matteo Berrettini, 6(4)-7 6-4 6-4 6-3 (2021)
- Djokovic beat Nick Kyrgios, 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6(3) (2022)
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