Reassuring return for Djokovic
It was the main attraction of this first round, and more generally of this 2024 Wimbledon vintage: the return of Novak Djokovic, absent from the courts since his withdrawal before his quarter-final at Roland-Garros against Casper Ruud at the beginning of June. The Serbian did not disappoint and certainly reassured himself physically by clearly dominating Vit Kopriva in three straight sets (6-1, 6-2, 6-2) and less than two hours of play. A quiet entry into the competition on the London grass for the unfortunate finalist of the last edition and seven-time winner of the tournament.
Less than a month after surgery to treat a torn meniscus, the world number 2 needed to get his feelings back without lingering on the Centre Court. This was achieved for a “Nole” who appeared relaxed and serene against the 123rd player in the world. The player who took up the racket again less than two weeks ago made his task easier by winning… 35 of his 39 points behind his first serve, hitting 10 aces in the process, and limiting direct errors: 14, far from the 30 of his Czech opponent, for 28 winners against 25.
It is not surprising to note, in these conditions, that Djokovic did not have to defend a single break point. Next up, it will be the British Jacob Fearnley, 277th player in the world who benefited from a wild card, or the Spaniard Alejandro Moro Canas, 188th in the ATP. Enough to continue his gradual rise in power, on paper.
Novak Djokovic
Credit: Getty Images
Zverev impressive
Before the tournament, he displayed his ambitions. And given what he showed on Tuesday to kick off his fortnight at Wimbledon, Alexander Zverev has the means to achieve them. The tournament’s 4th seed, who has never been beyond the round of 16 on the London grass, made short work of the Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena, world number 64, winning comfortably (6-2, 6-4, 6-2) in less than two hours of play (1h53 precisely) on court number 1 in the first round.
As expected, the German was extremely efficient on serve. He did not give up his commitment for the match and did not have a single break point to play before the third set with 74% first serves, 86% success behind and no less than 18 aces. And when, after a moment of relaxation, he found himself at 0/40 on his serve after breaking at the start of the third act, he very quickly refocused. In the second round, he will face the American Marcos Giron or the British guest Henry Searle.
