“Everyone wants to trip Novak Djokovic up, and so do I” Jan-Lennard Struff issues a bold statement ahead of his match with Novak at the Tokyo Olympics 2020
Follow Us
Jan-Lennard Struff and Novak Djokovic
Jan-Lennard Struff is preparing for his 6th meeting with World No. 1 Novak Djokovic who has beaten him on all of their previous 5 meetings. Despite having taken a beating every time, Struff is confident of his chances this time as he gears up to represent his country at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
The duo has met 4 times on the Hardcourts and once on Clay and Novak has got the better of Struff always. In their 5 meetings, Novak has lost just one set against the German. With the Olympics medal at stake as they prepare to meet in the 2nd round of the Games, Struff talked about his plans on facing Novak and how he aims to dethrone the World No. 1 who chases a historic Gold.
While Novak had a routine victory against Colombia’s Hugo Dellien defeating him in straight-sets, Struff went on to defeat Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro 6-3, 6-4 to advance ahead into the 2nd round where he will now be meeting the World No. 1 and the outright favourite for the Gold Medal.
“I really wanted to play this game. It really is special. Novak is in incredible shape right now. I have to play my best tennis or I don’t have a chance. I have played it several times and unfortunately, I have always lost. But I believe I can win, otherwise, I wouldn’t even play. Everyone wants to trip him up, and so do I,” said an optimistic Struff.
Jan-Lennard Struff registered his first-ever Olympics win at Tokyo 2020
Struff made his Olympics debut at the 2016 Rio Olympics where he had to face a first-round defeat at the hands of Russia’s Evgeny Donskoy in straight-sets. His win over Monteiro in the 1st round at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was his first victory at the Olympic Games.
Having taken confidence from his victory in the first round, Struff will try his best to defeat Novak who is currently undefeated in 10 matches on Hardcourts and has lost only 3 matches the entire season, all of those 3 defeats coming on Clay.
But the hardcourts are Djokovic’s forte and defeating him won’t be an easy task for the German who stands a chance to become first player this season to defeat Novak on Hardcourts with 10 players already having failed at that task. Struff and Djokovic will lock horns in Round 2 of the Olympics on 26th July.
Stay Updated!
Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)