How will Novak Djokovic fare in Week 2 of Wimbledon?

WIMBLEDON, England — This time final 12 months, Novak Djokovic arrived recent off his third Roland Garros title, a heavy favourite to win Wimbledon for a record-equaling eighth time. He was the four-time defending champion, and after profitable majors in each Australia and France, was trying to full the third leg of the calendar Grand Slam. He cruised by his first three rounds with out dropping a set and reached the ultimate in type, however was edged out by Carlos Alcaraz in an exciting ultimate.

This 12 months, with doubts about his health due to current knee surgical procedure, he has needed to work just a little more durable within the first week, dropping two units, however nonetheless appears to be like sturdy. Here is how his first week has gone as he chases a record-breaking twenty fifth main.

His motion is just not but 100%

When Djokovic withdrew earlier than his French Open quarterfinal due to a knee harm — after which introduced he’d had surgical procedure to restore his meniscus — most individuals thought this summer time’s Olympics may be doubtful, not to mention Wimbledon. However he made it, sporting a hefty brace on his proper knee.

On the whole, his motion has been good, but it surely’s clear that transferring to his proper, at full stretch, is a matter. Sliding has all the time been a key a part of his motion, however he has been just a little reluctant to push himself to his forehand. In his first-round match, a assured 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win over Vit Kopriva, he solely slid as soon as to his forehand.

“I felt joyful that I did it as a result of in a manner you additionally really feel mentally hesitant to do these excessive actions,” he stated. “However figuring out that I can do it’s, clearly, very comforting and really constructive.”

Djokovic is attempting to shorten the factors

Not surprisingly, so quickly after surgical procedure and likewise on the age of 37, it appears to be like as if Djokovic is attempting to shorten the factors to take the load off his knee and be as environment friendly as potential. Within the 0-4 rally class — the place nearly all of factors are received in matches — he is been extra dominant than he was within the first three rounds 12 months in the past.

Over the three rounds to this point, he is received 258 factors and misplaced 188 (57.8%), in comparison with 207/185 (52.9%) in 2023. His first-round win right here this 12 months was one-sided, however contemplating that he didn’t drop a set in his first three rounds final 12 months and has dropped two units to this point, that is an enormous improve. When the rallies go 5-8 photographs, he is 67-61, in comparison with 70-38 final 12 months, and once they go 9+, he is 38-33 in comparison with 37-22 final 12 months.

Stefan Djokovic imitating dad’s smash is just too cute ☺️#Wimbledon | @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/TuIDJelNcQ

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2024

He’s going for it extra on second serve

The Djokovic serve is without doubt one of the most underrated photographs in world tennis, typically overshadowed by the brilliance of his groundstrokes and his unbelievable motion. However his serve is as environment friendly as anybody’s and to this point it appears to be like like he is going for it extra on the second serve, once more trying to win factors earlier than traditional. Throughout his three matches, his common second serve velocity is 100.13 mph, in comparison with 95.6 mph in his first three rounds in 2023. That is a rise of slightly below 5%, which could not appear a lot, however at this degree, is a major rise.

Internet effectivity is best than ever

Djokovic can be much better on the internet than some folks give him credit score for. A part of that’s the truth that, like Rafael Nadal, he tends to come back ahead when he hits an aggressive strategy shot, however his arms are good and his contact gentle. In 2023, throughout the primary three rounds, his common success price on the internet was 71.6%; in 2024 to this point, it is 78%.

And he is additionally being extra profitable when serving and volleying. A 12 months in the past, he served and volleyed 24 instances in his first three matches and received 16 factors (66%). This 12 months to this point, he is received 23 of 28 (82%). Once more, when you think about that he is dropped two units this 12 months and spent longer on courtroom, it is a signal he needs to get the factors over as quickly as potential.

Novak Djokovic and Jacob Fearnley mixed to create a Centre Court docket traditional 😲

Right now’s Play of the Day, offered by @BarclaysUK#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/GsayyiXfSJ

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2024

He is gentle on matches, or recent — take your choose

Djokovic has famous how totally different this 12 months has been to a lot of his treasured campaigns. Having received the Australian Open 10 instances, he normally arrives at Wimbledon with not less than one Slam to his identify. This 12 months, after shedding within the semifinals in Melbourne, he skipped Masters 1000 occasions in Miami and Madrid after which suffered the harm in Paris, which required surgical procedure.

Coming into Wimbledon, he had performed solely 24 matches and has but to win a title, so it relies upon the way you have a look at it: he is both gentle on matches or is recent, with lots within the tank. To date, he appears proud of issues, particularly the way in which he noticed off Alexei Popyrin within the third spherical. “I used to be not allowed to have too large focus lapses,” he stated. “I feel I’ve performed effectively in that regard. That was among the finest tiebreaks I’ve performed this 12 months, that is for certain.”

How will Week 2 go for Djokovic?

Djokovic has received Grand Slam titles with vital accidents earlier than — he received the Australian Open in 2021 regardless of a torn abdomen muscle — so something’s potential. Even when he’s at 70 or 80%, it should nonetheless take somebody taking part in excellent tennis to beat him.

However Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, particularly, have already proven that they’re ok to beat him in a serious, even when he is totally firing, so it is onerous to see Djokovic getting the higher of both of them if he’s unable to cowl the courtroom the way in which he normally does.

The cumulative impact of powerful matches from right here on is also an element, so it is going to be vital to see how he offers with Holger Rune, the No. 15 seed, within the fourth spherical Monday earlier than the even more durable duties forward.