Vit Kopriva declares Novak Djokovic is ‘not a human’ as he calls the Serb ‘the toughest’ opponent | FirstSportz Exclusive
Vit Kopriva was denied a chance to make a deep run at 2024 Wimbledon by Novak Djokovic who clinched a straight-set win in the first round.
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Novak Djokovic, Vit Kopriva (Images via X)
Vit Kopriva, the 27-year-old tennis ace from the Czech Republic, faced Novak Djokovic in the first round of last year’s Wimbledon. And the result? The Serb took an hour and 58 minutes to breeze past Kopriva, who had qualified for the Wimbledon first round for the very first time.
It was for the first time Kopriva clashed with eventual Wimbledon finalist Djokovic but the experience was enough to form an opinion about the 37-year-old. When asked during an exclusive interview with FirstSportz about who is the toughest opponent he has faced in his career, Kopriva wasted no time to declare, “Djokovic for sure.”
I mean you can see it on the TV on the day. He’s not a human as I said top players are humans but he’s not. He can do everything that he can. He’s serving pretty well, returning amazingly from the baseline, unbelievable movement, mental part of the game…When I was on the court, I realized how good he is.
Vit Kopriva said during an exclusive interview with FirstSportz
Prior to Wimbledon, Kopriva made his Grand Slam main draw debut at the 2024 Australian Open but in spite of giving his all, he could not beat Sebastian Korda. He lost in the qualifying rounds in this year’s Melbourne Slam as after receiving a walkover from Frenchman Constant Lestienne, he lost to Borna Gojo in the second match.
Djokovic, on the other hand, suffered from a hamstring injury during the Australian Open. It spoiled his 25th Grand Slam plan as after knocking out Carlos Alcaraz with a four-set win in the quarterfinals, he withdrew from the semifinal versus Alexander Zverev right after the first set.
He is set to play the Qatar Open next and will be returning to the ATP 500 event in Doha for the first time since 2019 to bid for his 100th ATP title. The Qatar Open will also be the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s third tournament of the season following the Brisbane International and the Australian Open.
Vit Kopriva doesn’t see himself as one of the key players of the Davis Cup team
Vit Kopriva made his Davis Cup debut in 2022 during the Czech Republic’s Qualifiers First Round tie against Argentina who dismantled his team, 4-0. Kopriva once again was included in the squad, this time, in Czechia’s 4-0 win in the Qualifiers First Round tie versus Israel. On both occasions, he played singles.
Later that year, Kopriva was dropped from Czech’s team nomination for the group stage match. When asked during the exclusive interview with FirstSportz if he sees himself as a key part of the Czech team in the future, Kopriva said he’s not optimistic about it as he’s receiving competition from the youngsters. It also depends on team captain Tomas Berdych as Kopriva is hoping to be included in the squad as a fifth player.
I was always on the edge of the Davis Cup team. Now we have many many good young players and they’re the key players of the Davis Cup team so I’m on the edge. That’s why I don’t see myself on the Davis Cup team.
Vit Kopriva said
Kopriva was last seen in action at the Nonthaburi Challenger. He made huge strides to claim his first title of the season but was no match for Brandon Holt in the final, losing the match with scores of 6-3, 6-2.
Currently occupying the 127th position in the ATP rankings, Kopriva will look forward to giving his all to qualify for the main draw at the French Open. Clay is his favorite surface as he feels comfortable playing on the slow courts of Roland Garros.
Last year at the French Open, he failed to advance to the main draw after a three-set defeat to Denis Kudla in his second match of the qualifying round. Kopriva hasn’t yet won any ATP title and mostly participates in the ATP Challenger Tour where he won five titles.
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Gouri Das
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