Novak Djokovic eager to return to Centre Court after ‘hanging in there’

Novak Djokovic avoided a scheduling nightmare and he hopes it will result in him returning to Centre Court come Wednesday.
The three-time champion’s last 16-encounter against Karen Khachanov was the last match scheduled for the No 1 Court on Monday.
With South African Kevin Anderson and Frenchman Gael Monfils’ match taking more than three hours to complete, it meant Djokovic and Khachanov had only about two hours of daylight left to avoid having to come back the following day.
Luckily for Djokovic he claimed a quickfire 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 win over the Russian and avoided the possibility of playing on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Post-match I heard that the organisers were planning to cancel my match if Monfils and Anderson went to a fifth. Luckily for me it didn’t happen,” the Serb said.
“The last couple of games I couldn’t really see the ball very clearly, it was getting very dark… so I had to hang in there.”
He added: “I’m really happy the way I played. I managed to win in straight sets against a player in form. I was really pleased with my second and third set. Really, really pleased. I made him play a lot.
“I served accurately, picking my spots, not really forcing the serve too much, trying to get easier first shot in the rally.”
Asked whether he expects to be on Centre Court for his quarter-final tie against the 24th seed Kei Nishikori, he replied: “We’ll see. Hopefully.”
Latest
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic to make Laver Cup call after Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic is interested in taking part in the Laver Cup.
-
US Open
John McEnroe paints a grim picture for Novak Djokovic
John McEnroe sees a future where Novak Djokovic ends the year ranked outside the top 40.
-
Wimbledon
Emma Raducanu’s Wimbledon dream dies – but what comes next matters more
Raducanu may have failed to live up to ridiculous Wimbledon expectations, but it is far too early to write her off.
-
Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic blows past Thanasi Kokkinakis in straight sets
The reigning champion dropped just seven games on Centre Court.
-
Tennis News
Alexander Zverev ‘in a positive mood’ as rehab begins
Alexander Zverev in a good mood as rehab journey begins.
-
US Open
Novak Djokovic says there is no ‘medical logic’ behind banning unvaccinated players from US Open
Novak Djokovic perplexed by decision not to allow unvaccinated players to compete at US Open.
-
Wimbledon
WATCH: Novak Djokovic becomes autograph hunter on behalf of his kids, gets Venus Williams’ signature
Novak Djokovic the autograph hunter.
-
Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal allays Covid-19 close contact fears after Matteo Berrettini’s Wimbledon withdrawal
“I feel very sorry for him because he was playing fantastic.”
-
Live Tennis
Wimbledon day three: Follow the action from SW19 with Tennis365’s live scores and results centre here…
Catch the action from Wimbledon with our live scores and results centre…
-
Wimbledon
Dan Evans to move on ‘pretty swiftly’ after Wimbledon exit: ‘It hurts. But I can have a party on my own’
Dan Evans suffered a straight-sets defeat.