Novak Djokovic has spent most of his Wimbledons wanting to be loved, sometimes painfully obviously. As his career enters its twilight, his wish is coming to fruition.
The Wimbledon crowd’s resistance to his charms was partly because his courting of them was too apparent, but mainly because his big rivals, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, were so popular, and unlike them, his game was perceived as more efficient than stylish.
But longevity coupled with a new vulnerability creates an allure of its own. Now in his 39th year and without a grand slam title since September 2023, the Centre Court crowd have finally taken the Serb to their hearts.
That was evident even as he dismantled a Brit, the plucky but outgunned local hope Dan Evans, 6-3 6-2 6-0 in the second round on Thursday.
Djokovic never gave Evans a sniff as he delivered a superb all-round performance where he looked as sharp as ever.
At the end, there were loud cheers of support, and his post-match interview was greeted with laughter and applause.
He said the right things, obviously, praising Evans and complimenting the crowd, but they knew it was genuine when the seven-times champ said, “Wimbledon still stays the most special tournament in my heart and the one that I always dreamed of winning when I was a kid. Any history made here is very special for me.”
This was his 99th win at Wimbledon. Five more and he will achieve a 25th grand slam, finally eclipsing Margaret Court’s tally.
That’s the target that keeps him looking forward, not back.
“I don’t pause to reflect,” he said. “I don’t have time. Being on the highest level on professional tennis requires a lot of dedication.
“I don’t play as much as I did before, but the weeks I don’t play, I play at home with my kids. I don’t reflect fully on everything I have been through.
“I would like to, but I think that will come when I set the racquet aside and then sip margaritas on the beach with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and just reflect on our rivalry and everything.”
Djokovic now meets compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic, who defeated Jesper de Jong 1-6 6-3 6-2 6-4.
Elsewhere, Jan-Lennard Struff completed a surprise four-set comeback victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime to set up a third-round date with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Struff, the only German man left in the draw, won 3-6 7-6 (11-9) 6-3 6-4 in a match suspended due to poor light on Wednesday after the second set.
Seeds Jakub Mensik (15) and Flavio Cobolli (22) progressed and now meet each other, as did Grigor Dimitrov (19) and, in another match with an overnight delay, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (26).
Spaniard Davidovich Fokina will next meet fifth-seed Taylor Fritz with the winner playing Jordan Thompson in the fourth round should the Aussie come through his third-round tie.
Content Source: www.perthnow.com.au