As described on court by his interviewer, tonight was a truly vintage performance from Novak Djokovic.
He absolutely demolished Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets under Centre Court floodlights without really having to break sweat, and did it all with a smile on his face.
The way in which the 24-time Grand Slam champion was striking the ball was frightening, and such a showing will certainly have sent a statement out to the rest of the ATP Tour who might have had aspirations of winning this title.
He is coming for the crown, and looks as fit as he has done in months, raring and ready to go out and get it.
Speaking on court, he spoke about this belief, at Wimbledon whilst also having some fun exchanges with a ball girl and Rory McIlroy in the crowd.
Novak Djokovic shares just how good he is feeling after Stefanos Tsitsipas win
Novak Djokovic began by focusing on that word: vintage. He admitted: “When you get the momentum going, two sets to love up and a break up, that game 5-2 up was one of the best return games I have played in a while. I went for my shots. I was a bit more relaxed and a bit less tension in my head, overthinking on how to anticipate his serve which was really precise and strong for a set and a half.
“One break was enough in the first two sets, and I started to serve a bit better. He started to miss quite a few first serves in the third, which gave me looks on the second serve.
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“Overall it was nice to be playing another indoor Wimbledon match; I am looking forward to an outdoor one hopefully next round!”
After the second set, such was the calm and relaxed demeanour of the 39-year-old, he even had time to play a prank on a ball girl whilst Tsitsipas was taking a break.
Whilst she cut a tag from the sleeve of his shirt, he jokingly feigned injury and spoke about that moment: “I guess these kinds of things surface when you are two sets to love up rather than down. Stefanos went to change. I had some spare time. I am sorry if I scared her; it probably was not that great of a joke. But it made me a bit more relaxed on the court.”
Djokovic concluded by sharing how good he’s feeling, before turning to the European golfing legends in the royal box.
He said: “I feel great! I have said this so many times before. I try not to take these moments for granted, playing on the Centre Court of the childhood dream tournament. It has stayed like that.
“I feel very privileged to be walking out on the court at age 30-plus, and I don’t think it’s a cliché; I believe it’s true: age is just a number.
“A few people who know about that are in the Royal Box, Rory and Justin and Luke. Congrats Team Europe on the Ryder Cup.
“Rory, what a beautiful jacket! Is that a Masters jacket? It must be? Round of applause for Rory for The Masters, please. I want that jacket; I will play you, this jacket for that jacket. I will play you, we play tennis, not golf!”
Despite his win, it was Aryna Sabalenka who extended her Grand Slam record over Djokovic with her win today.
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It was, truly, a startlingly good performance from Djokovic.
Whisper it quietly, but it really feels like he could be playing good enough to actually be a threat for this title.
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Tim Henman certainly seems to think so, judging by his post-match comments, as he told the BBC: “I have watched him for so many years yet still he goes out and produces performances like that.
“It was so clean, there were so few unforced errors. His serving was on point. When they got into the baseline exchanges his movement is incredible in and out of the corners.
“Tsitsipas is not in the best form, not in the best place in his career, but the way Djokovic has dismantled him was incredibly impressive.”
