Novak Djokovic rolled back the years last night, as he put in one of his best performances in recent memory to reach the Wimbledon third round.
Stefanos Tsitsipas didn’t stand a chance, and from the very first ball it was evident that the Serbian superstar was in full control.
He will hope that such form can continue for the next week and a half, and culminate with him lifting the title.
If he were to do so, there would be few who could oppose his claim to being the greatest tennis player of all time. Even Serena Williams’ innumerable accomplishments could not compare to Novak Djokovic’s stature.
How far does Novak Djokovic make it at Wimbledon this year?
He's safely through to the third round!
However, that would not diminish her stature either, as undeniably the greatest female tennis player of all time.
Djokovic has been keen to reinforce that suggestion upon hearing criticism about the 44-year-old following her return to singles action at Wimbledon.
Novak Djokovic defends Serena Williams after Wimbledon criticism
At the US Open last year, Djokovic playfully challenged Serena to return to tennis, likely expecting nothing to come of it.
Few could have predicted that, less than a year later, she’d be playing in front of a packed-out Centre Court, startling fans once again.
However, Williams has also been criticised for her match for a plethora of things. Her quality, movement, the handshake afterwards and the decision to snub her media duties. Such a legendary figure was always bound to be a lightning rod for criticism and debate.
Djokovic has emerged to defend these claims, as he argued: “Look, I said it even before the tournament started that what she’s doing is incredible, epic. I’ve always been a fan of Serena. I’m sure she wanted and expected to at least win one match or more. Knowing how competitive she is, the mind of a champion that she has, she’s not happy with just showing up on the court. She wants to win.”
He reiterated his hope that she continues playing, before assuming that the US Open will be her ultimate goal.
Djokovic then rated her level: “I was watching the match a little bit. Look, she hasn’t played for years. She had two children. I mean, people are used to when we talk about Serena, I mean, also in my case, some great champions, people always expect you to play at your best because they’re used to seeing you dominate the sport for many years.
“She’s 44. I mean, she has two children. Coming back, it’s normal that she still is not at her best in terms of movement. She hasn’t played a match, I mean, in so many years. People need to cool off a little bit with judgment and criticism and everything. Let’s just enjoy the greatness, who she is, what she represents to the sport.
“Her wanting to give it a try and just come back is an incredible gift for our sport.”
What do you think about Serena Williams’ behaviour at Wimbledon this year?
She skipped her post-match press conference and didn't have the warmest handshake with Maya Joint…
This then led into Djokovic’s defence of Williams: “I think people sometimes, I don’t know why they don’t appreciate that enough. They just start to speculate, judge or whatever. It’s like, Hey, guys, enjoy. You have the greatest ever to come play for you, to bring more attention to your sport.
“For me, I don’t understand this kind of thinking and this kind of approach by people and judgment. But people are people. This is something they’re going to do.
“I really support Serena. Always have. Hopefully she’s going to play more.”
Who Serena Williams picked as her greatest male tennis player of all time
Despite his staunch support for Williams, Djokovic was actually not the player who she picked when asked to name her GOAT back in 2021.
Asked to weigh in on this age-old debate whilst she was still an active player on the WTA Tour, she was certain in her position.
Novak Djokovic is the tennis GOAT… Prove us wrong
Williams replied: “I think two words sum it up: Roger Federer.
“He’s just a synopsis of greatness and class and amazing, and really changed the game.
“You see players playing like him, moving like him, doing his techniques. The guy is a genius. I just feel like he is really the greatest player.
“You can’t not like the guy, that’s how I feel. His game is so fantastic.”
This view differs completely from who Martina Navratilova chose as her greatest male tennis player of all time.
