Novak Djokovic delivered a near-flawless performance on Centre Court, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the third round of Wimbledon. The 37-year-old Serb, seeded seventh, committed just seven unforced errors and hit 33 winners, dismantling the Greek player who has struggled in recent years.
Dominant display from Djokovic
Djokovic served brilliantly throughout, winning four of his five break points and dominating from the baseline. Tsitsipas, ranked 87th, his lowest since January 2018, could not match the veteran's consistency. “You feel very happy and satisfied and joyful on the court when you’re playing this way,” Djokovic said after the match.
Two days after a grueling four-set win over Wu Yibing, Djokovic conserved energy by cruising through the match in just over two hours. He praised the crowd and acknowledged his age: “I feel very privileged to be walking out on the court at age 30-plus. I don’t think it’s a cliche, I actually believe it’s true, age is just a number.”
Tsitsipas's struggles continue
Tsitsipas, a two-time Grand Slam finalist who lost to Djokovic in both the 2021 French Open and 2023 Australian Open finals, has fallen from the top 10. His one-handed backhand and return of serve were exploited mercilessly by Djokovic. The Greek player recently announced a permanent split with his father and coach, Apostolos, citing it as a necessary step for his career.
“The road back to the top of the sport is famously long, but should he make it back, it is safe to assume that Djokovic will probably still be there,” noted commentators.
Next opponent: Arthur Rinderknech
Djokovic will face 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech of France in the third round. After the match, Djokovic jokingly challenged golfer Rory McIlroy, watching from the Royal Box, to a tennis match for McIlroy's Masters green jacket. “I feel great. I’ve said this so many times before. I try not to take these moments for granted,” Djokovic added.
