Novak Djokovic Return to Wimbledon 2024 through the front door. His was one of the most anticipated debuts, as the unknowns surrounding how his right knee would respond were enormous. However, the world number 2 had no problem beating Vit Kopriva 6-1 6-2 6-2, being far superior from start to finish. The Czech was no match for the 7-time London Grand Slam champion, as he showed that he was in good physical condition and, without pushing himself too hard, managed to get into the second round without complications.
The numerous doubts surrounding Djokovic’s fitness were almost immediately dispelled when the seven-time winner of the tournament began to move. It is true that at first, Nole tried to shorten certain points so as not to push himself too hard, but the reality is that he did not need to against an opponent who never managed to lose respect for him. Little by little, the Serbian accelerated the machinery to get his hands on the first break points. The errors of a Kopriva without ideas helped the world number 1 to feel his tennis without having to make too much effort.
Thus, after a great defense, Novak broke his rival’s serve for the first time, who was nervous. The Serbian scored a great set with his serve, serving almost all first serves and winning the few second serves he had. Thus, returning almost everything and many at his feet, Nole scored the last 14 points of the set to close it with an incontestable superiority.
A Kopriva without order and a Nole without apparent physical problems
So far, we have seen a cautious Djokovic, but because he did not need to force the machine against Kopriva’s passive tennis. Taking the necessary steps and imposing himself from the other side of the court, Nole was winning just by his presence. He did not let go either, while Kopriva showed that he did not have a clear plan of what to do against the world number 2. The Czech needed to loosen up first, but it was going to be very difficult for him.
Novak didn’t seem to have any precautionary bandages on his right leg, nor had he had surgery just a few days ago. Very comfortable on the court, the Serbian had only lost 4 points on serve so far, which clearly showed the superiority in essence and in numbers of the world number 2. Kopriva got a little more lively in the last game, the longest on Nole’s serve, but nothing stopped the Serbian’s run.
In Kopriva’s last chance to try to fight for a place in the match, it is true that he pushed a little harder and started to score more points than the rest. Although he was not going to do much damage by taking a few points from his rival, it was a good sign that he did not want to give up. However, having an opponent like Novak in front of him, who does everything without seeming to make a superhuman effort, can be frustrating. Break by the Serbian and almost the end of the match. And Nole stopped messing around so as not to prolong the match in vain. Thus, overcoming his knee problems, Djokovic showed all his rivals that he is here, at Wimbledon.
2024-07-02 16:00:59
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