LONDON: Novak Djokovic has issued a warning to the field at the Fever-Tree Championships with an emphatic first round win on Tuesday.
Playing at The Queens Club for the first time since 2010, the former world No.1 eased to a 6-2, 6-1, win over Australian qualifier John Millman. Breaking three consecutive times in the match to progress to the last 16. The emphatic performance saw the world No.22 win 92% of the points behind his first serve, hit 13 winners as well as 15 unforced errors.
“It’s great to be back, it’s eight years since I played here last,” said Djokovic. “It’s one of the most beautiful tennis courts that we get to play in round the world. England has a long tennis tradition and it’s great to be on the court. I have struggled a little bit in the last year-and-a-half that has forced me to compensate my game and that has taken a little confidence out of me. I’m trying to get it back.”
There was few signs of any physical issue hampering the 12-time grand slam champion. In recent months Djokovic has struggled with a right elbow injury and underwent what he called a ‘small medical intervention’ earlier this year. To cope with the issue, he has had to adjust how he serves during matches with a shorter take back.
“This very problem with an injury of the elbow has forced me to compensate a little bit my technique for the serve, the movement and everything. So I went from quite a familiar style of serving up to Wimbledon last year.” Djokovic explained.
“Then I took a break (due to injury), and then I started reinventing the serve and game and racquet. I kind of had a completely new motion in Australia and then another one in Miami.”
Playing on a surface where the serve is such a key element. Some players may be nervous about embarking upon the grass swing with a technique different to the past. On the other hand, 31-year-old Djokovic is happy to take it in his stride.
“I’m finally kind of feeling comfortable with where the serve is at, but it takes a little bit of time to work on it. It’s a very, very important shot, maybe “the” most important shot in our sport, especially on the quickest surface in our sport, which is grass.”
Life after Paris
Djokovic returns to winning ways after his shock loss at the French Open. He reached the quarter-finals of the tournament before going out to Italy’s Marco Cecchinato. Something that brought him mixed emotions. Roland Garros was Djokovic’s best grand slam performance since returning from injury.
“I know how to deal with these particular situations, although considering the circumstances that I was in the last 12 months that kind of match loss hurt a lot because I thought I had a really fair chance to get at least a step further. I was starting to play really well.” He said.
“Credit to my opponent for winning. But I had to just take some time off the court and just recharge the batteries physically and mentally and just get back on it.”
The time away saw the Serbian go on a five-day hike with his wife Jelena. In total he said he spent roughly eight days without a tennis racket in his hand during the transition period between clay and grass.
Dimitrov next
Awaiting Djokovic in the second round will be Grigor Dimitrov. The second seed required more than three hours to defeat Damir Dzumhur in three sets. Djokovic leads their head-to-head 6-1. Although they haven’t played against each other on the tour since 2016.
“He played a very good match. I watched it a little bit.” Dimitrov said of Djokovic. “It’s not going to be our first meeting, but again, I’m here to play, I’m here to compete and try to find a better game. Simple as that.”
Looking ahead to the clash, the 12-time champion is confident that he is gradually returning back to the top of his game. Illustrated by his French Open run as well as a semifinal appearance at the Rome Masters last month.
“I feel that in the last three tournaments basically my level of my tennis has improved and I start to feel comfortable with my game, in general. I can actually finally focus on my game, which I wasn’t doing 100% because I had to think more or less every time I stepped on the court about the elbow or other things that might occur.” Said Djokovic.
“Right now it’s all about tennis, all about improving, and getting on a high level. So a match against Dimitrov obviously is a very good challenge for both of us, especially me at this time.”
This year is Djokovic’s fourth appearance at the Queen’s Club. His best run to date is reaching the final back in 2008.
