Novak Djokovic got off to a good start in his Wimbledon Championships title defense campaign. After losing the first set, he went to close down the dreams of British wildcard entrant Jack Draper 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. Naturally, the comfortable victory would boost the Serbian’s confidence as he goes ahead in the second round.

Nonetheless, the young 19-year-old Englishman put on a great show on the Centre Court of All England Club. Consequently, Djokovic added that Draper deserves all the round of applause for his exhilarating Wimbledon debut.

Funny enough, both the players found themselves flat on the exquisitely mowed grass more than once. The Serbian even missed a crucial breakpoint due to a slip, costing him the first set. But above all, Djokovic is happy once again playing at his childhood dream tournament, The Championships, Wimbledon.

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Novak Djokovic opens up on Jack Draper and the slippery Wimbledon court

Given his last few Grand Slam matches, namely against Musetti, Nadal, and Tsitsipas in French Open 2021, Djokovic has gotten into a habit of dropping the first set. However, every time he jumped back and won the game.

Unsurprisingly, the Serbian kept the tradition going at one of the most traditional sporting events in the world. Hitting a staggering 25 aces, Djokovic took the next three sets rapidly, conceding only four games to Draper.

“He definitely deserves a round of applause. A youngster, hadn’t seen him play too much prior to Queen’s. He played pretty well, won matches against high-ranked players. Walking on Wimbledon Centre Court for first time, he’s done extremely well,” Djokovic said in the on-court interview.

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Furthermore, Djokovic reflected on the numerous tumbles both of them took throughout the match. Although the falls weren’t serious, they could still be considered troublesome.

However, the Serbian answered with a smile, evaluating that it might be the closed roof or the early rains that are responsible. “To be honest I don’t recall falling this many times on the court,” Djokovic laughed.

Above all, nothing could replace the feeling of playing on the grass at Wimbledon for the 34-year-old Serbian. Ergo, he would be looking forward to staying in the tournament until the very last day.

Watch This Story: Novak Djokovic Struggles on Wimbledon Grass, Slips Multiple Times on Break Points

Djokovic on return to Wimbledon Championships

The defending and five-time Wimbledon champion has always called the grass Slam his dream tournament. Moreover, Djokovic has a broader smile nowhere else but at the Centre Court in Wimbledon after winning a match.

In response to his return, Djokovic expressed that the tournament is “the most special, the most sacred tennis court in the world” for him. Hopefully, the happy memories will continue for him ahead on his path to 20th Grand Slam title.

In the second round, Djokovic would meet South African Kevin Anderson or qualifier Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera. Do you think the Serbian will go on to win his 20th Grand Slam title in Wimbledon 2021?

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