Miomir Kecmanovic Warns Novak Djokovic’s Rivals That the Serbian Will Win “20 More Slams” Before Retiring
Novak Djokovic notches up 100th Wimbledon win after beating Miomir Kecmanovic in the third round.
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Miomir Kecmanovic and Novak Djokovic (via X/Univers Tennis)
Novak Djokovic kept alive his hopes of winning his 25th Grand Slam at the Wimbledon Championship after beating fellow compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic in straight sets. The win earned Djokovic his 17th round of 16 entry at the All England Club. After the match, Kecmanovic revealed what would happen if the 38-year-old keeps playing the way he did against him.
Djokovic claimed his 24th Grand Slam at the 2023 US Open, but since then has managed to reach only one final, which was at Wimbledon last year. He arrived at the SW19 without a warm-up tournament but it has not reflected in his performance in any way. In fact, he has dropped only one set at Wimbledon.
In his third round clash against Kecmanovic, he produced a masterclass performance and the best since he opened his campaign at the tournament. He was in full control of the match, leaving his fellow countryman powerless. The 38-year-old stood firm during baseline exchanges and kept changing his tactics in the middle of sets.
Kecmanovic, who looked physically more impressive than Djokovic, tried to go for long rallies to wear down the 38-year-old, especially in the second set, but that didn’t work, and he ended up not winning a single point in the set. It was in the third set, that he found a way to draw Djokovic closer to the net for exchanges.
But that couldn’t stop Djokovic from beating the Serbian 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 in an hour and 47 minutes. The win was Djokovic’s 100th match victory at Wimbledon and his 42nd in his last 44 matches at the All England Club. During Kecmanovic’s interview with Sport Klub, he revealed that Djokovic can win more than 20 Slams if he keeps playing the way he did against him:
If he plays like this, he’ll win 20 more (slams). He served like crazy, you wonder what to do on the court. Compared to Siner last year and Novak in 2022, I’m happy that I didn’t go into the match with fear, but it was a very high level on his part. At least I didn’t go into the match feeling cramped.
Djokovic is now in his 16th fourth round at Wimbledon. He has defeated Alexandre Muller, Dan Evans, and Kecmanovic at the tournament and currently holds an outstanding 24-8 win-loss record on tour. Also, Djokovic has just lost one of his last twelve matches, the one defeat came against Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros.
Novak Djokovic privileged to notch 100 wins at Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic extended his lead in his head-to-head record against Miomir Kecmanovic to 4-0 and also holds an 8-0 win-loss over players of his country at the Grand Slam tournament. The Serbian also notched 100 wins at Wimbledon, a record that now sees him get closer to Roger Federer’s 105 grass-court Grand Slam.
After the match, Djokovic revealed that he was grateful for achieving such milestones at the All England Club. He added that it was a privilege to get to the position that he is:
I am very grateful, privileged to be in the position that I am. I have said it many times. Tennis made me who I am. It has given me things in life that I can experience. I try not to take anything for granted, particularly at this age…Wimbledon is a favourite tournament and dream tournament of not just myself but probably the majority of tennis players.
Djokovic will now face Alex de Minaur on Monday (July 7) for a place in the quarter-finals. The Serbian was supposed to have met the Australian in the quarter-finals last year, but de Minaur withdrew before their match. Djokovic leads 2-1 in their head-to-head record.
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