Novak Djokovic has revealed an excuse for his ‘worst set in years’ during his 1-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 Wimbledon victory over Alex de Minaur on Monday.
The Serbian tennis legend was far from his best in the opening set on Centre Court before winning the next three to book a quarter-final spot.
John McEnroe slammed the 38-year-old for his first-set performance while working as a commentator for the BBC before he turned things around.
‘I can’t remember him playing a worse set than this,’ McEnroe said. ‘It’s been years, literally.
‘He is absolutely disgusted with himself… It’s not going to happen that he continues to play this badly.
‘If he did for two more sets, he’d quit on the spot. I would predict, if he plays like this for another two sets – I don’t think there’s a prayer it’s going to happen – but this is incredible to see him play like this.’
Djokovic: Federer had me under a curse
Djokovic suggested after the match that he was playing under a ‘curse’ from former rival Roger Federer, who was watching the clash in the crowd.
‘I mean this is probably the first time he (Federer) is watching me where I have won the match,’ Djokovic said in his on-court interview.
‘The last couple of times I lost, so it’s good to break the curse. It is obviously great to have Roger here.
‘He is a huge champion and someone I admired and respected a lot. We shared the stage for many years and it is great to have him back at his most successful and favourite tournament, no doubt.’
Djokovic plays down abdomen issue after win
Quizzed if he was suffering with an abdomen issue during the match, Djokovic added: ‘No, it was all good. I was just trying to manage my breathing at times.
‘After 30-shot rallies from the back of the court, you obviously need a breather and you don’t have much time. Maybe that was the case.’
Djokovic also admitted that he was ‘nervous’ heading into the match against Australian 11th-seed De Minaur.
‘I love winning in straights, to be honest, if I can,’ Djokovic continued. ‘As you progress in the tournament, the matches are only going to get tougher.
‘Alex de Minaur has been an established top 10 or top-15 player for the last couple of years so he is very tough to play against, especially on this surface.
‘So I was definitely more nervous coming into this match and I think that reflected in the first set.
‘It was a very difficult encounter, a lot of difficult moments for me. Sometimes I wish I had a serve and volley or a nice touch like Federer’s, that would help!
‘But hey, I can’t complain. I still have to run a lot and that’s fine, it is part of my game.’