Photo credit: Adrian Dennis/AFP for Getty
Wimbledon—Grand Slam tennis is an educational experience even for the elite.
Facing major opponents on their home soil, Novak Djokovic continues to home school all comers.
A sharp Djokovic dissected British wild card Dan Evans 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 surging into the Wimbledon third round for an Open Era record 19th time—breaking the record he had shared with rival Roger Federer
It is Djokovic’s 99th career Wimbledon, second only to Federer who owns a 105-14 career mark at The Championships.
“It means you’ve been playing quite a long time. Nineteen times—it’s almost as much as Sinner and Alcaraz have years in their life,” Djokovic said. “I’ve said this a million times, but I have to say it again: Wimbledon stays the most special tournament in my heart, the one I dreamed of winning as a kid.
“Any history made here is obviously extra special for me. At the beginning of the tournament I’m aware of the history on the line, but at the same time I’m thinking about the big thing that I can make history.”
Health freak Djokovic, who starts his days with warm water and lemon joked he's looking forward to "sip margarita on the beach with Federer and Nadal and just reflect on our rivalry."
The seven-time Wimbledon winner stamped a statement victory today setting up an all-Serbian showdown with Miomir Kecmanovic, a four-set winner on No. 15 Court earlier today.
Facing opponents at their home Slams only fuel the fierce desire Djokovic brings to court.
The sixth-seeded Djokovic has won 35 of the 36 matches he has played against players at their home Grand Slam tournaments. His lone defeat in that near immaculate span came against former coach Andy Murray in the 2013 Wimbledon final. Djokovic is now 6-1 vs. British players at Wimbledon, 4-0 vs. Aussies at the Australian Open, 12–0 vs. French players at Roland Garros and 13-0 against Americans at the US Open.
“I think everyone knew that it was going to be a special atmosphere on court, obviously a Brit in Britain is never easy to face,” Djokovic said. “He’s a good quality player that possesses a lot of talent, a great touch…He can be cause a lot of trouble if you are not on top of your game, which i think I was.
“That was necessary. I was preparing well for the match technically and tactically I knew what I had to do. You have these kind of days where everything goes your way, everything flows. It’s good to be in the shoes and holding a racquet on a day like this.”
Given the fact Evans beat Djokovic 6-4, 7-5 in the 2021 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters round of 16 in their lone prior meeting, you had to expect Djokovic to come out with ruthless intentions today.
Add in the fact, Evans publicly said he was a bit annoyed hearing Djokovic say the loss “has been probably one of the worst matches and performances from my side I can recall in the last years,” and you knew Djokovic would play with the intensity of a man seeking to settle old scores.
That’s precisely what he did.
Unleashing a sizzling serve to set up an oppressive all-court attack, Djokovic beat the Brit from every area of the court today.
The seven-time champion served 78 percent, won 40 of 45 first-serve points, smacked 11 aces, did not drop serve and won 22 of 26 points at net largely taking the net away from the skilled British volleyer.
"I felt like I was always on the back foot. You guys have wrote enough about how good he is. We're all singing off the same hymn sheet," Evans said. "Yeah, just so good coming forwards when he hits a deep ball. He's aware when you're on your back foot, and he'll move you.
"I think the big thing is he serves like a big server, but he's maybe 6'1". Today he served spots. I don't think he got over 130, but every serve was a spot. Then you've got his return game, which really sticks you under some pressure.
"I'd say, if I had to sum it up, it felt the tennis balls were back in my pocket very quickly and never stayed in there a long time."
Djokovic took the net away and drew a few running forehand errors from Evans breaking for 2-1 second set lead.
The Serbian superstar capped a superb set smacking 12 winners against just one unforced error.
In the decider, Djokovic threw down 17 winners—16 more than Evans and was in total command closing in one hour, 47 minutes before a roaring Centre Court crowd.