Novak Djokovic ‘living his dreams’ with historic Slam record as he warms his Wimbledon throne

Novak Djokovic got his Wimbledon title defence up and running with relative ease despite dropping a set against Soonwoo Kwon. 

With Wimbledon celebrating 100 years of Centre Court, the pomp and circumstance of top seed Djokovic opening play was just that little bit heightened.

Renovations to the player entrance have brought the door directly under the Royal Box, leaving Djokovic  and Kwon to stride on like Roman gladiators into the arena. 

After going down an early break the Serb sealed the first set before Kwon surprisingly levelled the match to make it 6-3, 3-6. 

However, Djokovic remained cool as a cucumber, not once gesticulating to his box. 

He convincingly clinched victory 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a little under two and a half hours, kissing his hand before laying it to the court after the win. 

“This court is truly special,” he said.

“It’s always been the court where I dreamed of playing and winning.

“All my childhood dreams came true on this court, so of course it’s a dream and an honour to be back here.”

Though the match was entertaining, it was twice interrupted by medical issues for spectators.

The latter of those came as Kwon was serving for the second set at 5-4, 0-15, the Korean holding his nerve well to level the match there.

The victory was an 80th at Wimbledon in Djokovic’s career.

That means he is the first player ever in the Open Era, man or woman, to win 80 matches at all four Major tournaments.

But as ever, the record-breaking great is far from finished with his accolades.

He signed off by saying: “Now that we’ve got to 80, let’s get to 100!”

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