Novak Djokovic ready to weather the Kevin Anderson storm

Shahida Jacobs
July 15, 2018

Novak Djokovic knows he needs to “weather” Kevin Anderson’s “big serves and big tennis” in the Wimbledon final.

The two came through marathon semi-finals with both needing five sets to book their places in Sunday’s showpiece.

Anderson beat fellow big-server John Isner 7-6, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4, 26-24 on Friday and, with the match taking six hours and 36 minutes to finish, it meant the Djokovic-Nadal semi-final could only be completed on Saturday afternoon.

Three-time Wimbledon winner Djokovic admits it will have an impact on both players.

“Kevin also had quite a few hours on the court in the last couple matches,” the Serb said. “But he had a day off, which is quite necessary at this stage. I wish I can have a day. But it is what it is. I’ll just have to accept the circumstances and try to recover as best as I can.”

While Djokovic will be gunning for a fourth title at SW19 and a 13th Grand Slam trophy, Anderson is still looking for his first major having come up short against Nadal in last year’s US Open final.

Many consider Djokovic the favourite, but the 31-year-old knows he will need to come to grips with the South African’s big weapon, his serve, if he is to win.

“Considering he’s playing only his second Grand Slam final, obviously he has a lot more to gain,” said Djokovic. “If I take my last couple years, I don’t have much to lose myself. I’m again in a Grand Slam final after a long time, after actually almost two years. Of course, we want this trophy. We want this match, both of us. Who is going to take it? I don’t know. It really depends.

“I don’t know if I’ll be the clear favourite in that one. I think we’re quite even. He’s definitely playing the tennis of his life. He’s coming off from two epic marathon five-set wins. I don’t think he has much to lose really. He’s going to come out with big serves and big tennis. Hopefully I’ll be able to weather the storm.”

Kevin Anderson Novak Djokovic