‘Don’t dream your life, live your dream‘ – If only living one’s dream had a better example than Jacob Fearnley. He is gearing up to face his tennis idol, Novak Djokovic, in the second round of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. Playing on one of the game’s grandest stages against one of the greatest of all time (G.O.A.T.s) is more than a dream for most—it’s a reality for the 22-year-old Brit. He admits to feeling both “nervous” and “super excited” before stepping onto the court, where there’s nothing to lose and much to gain.

Who is Jacob Fearnley though? “I played Alcaraz when he was maybe 14, I was 17. Sinner, I played him maybe when we were 15,” providing a clear hint about this rising star in British tennis. Recently victorious at a challenger event in Nottingham, he secured his first Grand Slam match win in his debut appearance on Tuesday. Remarkably, this victory marked his first win of any kind on the main tour. Adding to his credentials, Fearnley was also Roger Federer‘s hitting partner at Wimbledon in 2018. What are his thoughts on facing another giant six years later?

In a conversation with BBC 5 Live Sports, the Brit said, “Yeah it’s been a bit bonkers. I don’t really know what’s going on. I’m just enjoying it and really excited to get this opportunity to play Djokovic.” While defeating the seven-time Wimbledon champion is a daunting task for someone like Fearnley, his fearless approach to tennis is evident. Reflecting on his excitement for the match, he added, “He’s one of my idols, I’ve grown up watching him play and watching what he has been doing for tennis and himself and I’m super excited.“

Despite admitting to being “a little nervous,” Fearnley feels there’s no real pressure on him. Playing Novak Djokovic on Wimbledon’s big courts is unmatched, and as mentioned earlier, Fearnley is truly living his dream at the moment. The last British player to defeat Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon was Andy Murray. Could Jacob Fearnley be the next? Here’s what his coach, Juan Martin, has to say.

“We just have our plan ready” – says Jacob Fearnley’s coach on facing Novak Djokovic in R2

Novak Djokovic has mentioned that he hasn’t seen much of Jacob Fearnley,” noting he’ll need to do some homework before Thursday’s match. However, Fearnley’s coach, Juan Martin, describes his player as having a “big game” and an aggressive style that could challenge the Serb’s dominance. The coach emphasizes the importance of Fearnley focusing on his own game, acknowledging potential threats Djokovic may pose. Despite the preparation, Martin wants Fearnley to savor the moment and enjoy the experience.

Martin added, “To be honest, we just have our plan ready and we’re going to try our best and Jake’s going to go out there and try to bring his game, bring it to him, and see what happens.” Fearnley approaches this match with immense excitement and anticipation, supported by a strong team, family, and friends. Should Novak Djokovic face boos and jeers from the home crowd once more during his match against the Brit, it would not be surprising.