Vit Kopriva reveals Wimbledon first-round meeting with Novak Djokovic ‘stands out’ as favorite match of his career | FirstSportz Exclusive

Czech tennis ace Vit Kopriva was pitted against Novak Djokovic in his Wimbledon main-draw debut last year and suffered a straight-set defeat.

Vit Kopriva reveals Wimbledon first-round meeting with Novak Djokovic ‘stands out’ as favorite match of his career | FirstSportz Exclusive

Vit Kopriva, Novak Djokovic (Images via X)

Vit Kopriva was no match for Novak Djokovic when they met in the first round of 2024 Wimbledon. Although Kopriva suffered a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 defeat, he labeled that clash as the ‘favorite’ one of his career.

The result of his three wins in the qualifying round was that he was pitted against the seven-time Wimbledon champion in his maiden main draw appearance at SW19. After beating Kopriva, Djokovic went on to reach the final but suffered a straight-set defeat to Carlos Alcaraz.

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The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who is set to return to the tour at the Qatar Open after recovering from a hamstring injury, has faced Kopriva just once. Kopriva mostly plays Challenger tournaments and has emerged victorious in the finals five times. And on the ATP Tour, he has participated in several top tournaments but is yet to take home a title.

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Kopriva who called Djokovic the toughest opponent he has faced in his career during an exclusive interview with FirstSportz, was also asked about his favorite wins of his career. Apart from the Wimbledon clash with Djokovic, the three-set triumph over 1st seed Denis Shapovalov at the 2021 Swiss Open was also a memorable one for the Czech ace, as it was the first time he conquered a top 10 player.

Which once stands out as my favorite? Yeah, it’s tough to say. I can also put it…like my last match with Djokovic. That was a huge one for me. Shapovalov…he was top 10 at that time. I would say those two matches. And I won a Davis Cup match in Czech Republic…that’s also pretty cool.

Vit Kopriva said during an exclusive interview with FirstSportz

Kopriva represented Czechia twice in Davis Cup matches, both in singles. While he suffered a straight-set loss to Federico Coria in his team’s 4-0 collapse to Argentina in the Qualifiers 1st Round in 2022, Kopriva’s three-set win over Orel Kimhi was one of the reasons behind the Czech Republic’s emphatic 4-0 win over Israel in the Davis Cup Qualifiers 1st Round in 2024.

During the interview however, Kopriva said he doesn’t see himself as one of the key players in the Czech Davis Cup squad as competition from the young players has made it tough for him to secure a place. Kopriva was also dropped from the squad last year.

Vit Kopriva reveals clay is his favorite surface

Vit Kopriva has reached six Challengers finals, winning five of them and all those victories came on clay. His only defeat, a straight-set loss to Marc-Andrea Husler, came on the hard court of Grodzisk Mazowiecki tournament. During the exclusive interview with FirstSportz, Kopriva made his feelings known on why clay suits him the best.

Vit Kopriva
Vit Kopriva (Image via X)

Clay is my favorite surface. There’s no doubt at all. I feel very comfortable with the movement on clay and with the slides. I guess that’s the biggest advantage. I am playing pretty solid on clay, that’s the way.

Vit Kopriva said

Not just in singles, the 27-year-old has claimed two doubles victories in clay-court Challenger events. Kopriva, however, is working hard to win on hard courts as he’s confident that his game also fits on the surface. He wants to play more hard-court Challengers and is hoping to win a title on the surface one day.

Kopriva’s next goal is to give his best at the French Open. He has never progressed beyond the qualifying rounds but his successful results on the clay court for sure will give him enough confidence to play to his full potential and make his main-draw debut when the tournament starts in May.

Last year at Roland Garros, the World No.127 was knocked out by America’s Denis Kudla in the second match of the qualifying round. Kopriva, who made his Grand Slam main-draw debut in the 2024 Australian Open, couldn’t qualify for the main draw of this season’s first Major.

But afterward, Kopriva came close to lifting his first Challenger title of the season as he advanced to the final of Nonthaburi 3. But America’s Brandon Holt defeated the top seed in straight sets.