LONDON — Novak Djokovic made his long-awaited return to grass courts at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic, his only pre-Wimbledon warm-up event, and while the Serbian showed flashes of brilliance, his performance left little doubt that he has work to do before defending his title at SW19.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion faced off against rising star Arthur Fils in an exhibition match at the Hurlingham Club, a traditional Wimbledon tune-up event. Though Djokovic ultimately secured a 6-3, 6-4 victory, his movement and timing—critical on grass—appeared rusty after nearly a month away from competition following knee surgery.
Djokovic, who withdrew from the French Open quarterfinals due to a torn meniscus, acknowledged the challenge ahead: "Grass is the most demanding surface to adapt to, especially after an injury. I need every minute I can get on court before Wimbledon starts."
Movement Concerns Linger
Despite the straight-sets win, Djokovic’s lateral movement—a hallmark of his game—lacked its usual fluidity. Fils, a 20-year-old Frenchman with explosive speed, tested Djokovic’s reflexes with sharp angles and drop shots.
- Djokovic slipped twice during baseline exchanges, raising questions about his footing.
- His serve, normally a weapon on grass, was inconsistent, landing just 58% of first serves.
- He faced four break points, saving three, but struggled to dictate play early.
Tennis analyst Craig O’Shannessy noted: "Novak’s anticipation is still there, but his explosive first step isn’t at 100%. That split-second delay makes a huge difference on grass."
Bright Spots in the Performance
Djokovic’s trademark resilience shone through as the match progressed. By the second set, his backhand down the line—one of the best in history—began firing, and he closed out the match with a flurry of winners.
Key Takeaways:
- Net Play: Djokovic won 12 of 15 approaches, showing improved volleying.
- Return Game: Broke Fils twice, capitalizing on second-serve opportunities.
- Mental Toughness: Saved break points at critical moments, a sign of his champion’s mentality.
Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli observed: "You could see Novak’s instincts take over when it mattered. But he’ll need more matches to fine-tune his rhythm."
The Road to Wimbledon
With just days before Wimbledon begins, Djokovic faces a race against time. He confirmed he’ll play one more exhibition at Hurlingham before his first-round match, likely against a qualifier.
His coach, Goran Ivanišević, remained optimistic: "Novak’s a perfectionist. He knows what’s needed, and he’ll get there. The knee is holding up, which is the most important thing."
However, rivals like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz—both in strong form—will pose a sterner test. Alcaraz, the defending champion, has already played two grass-court tournaments, while Sinner arrives fresh off a Halle title.
Djokovic’s path to a record-equaling eighth Wimbledon title hinges on his ability to accelerate his preparation. As he put it: "I’ve done it before under pressure. This is no different."
Conclusion
The Hurlingham match served as a reality check. Djokovic’s brilliance is undeniable, but grass forgives no weaknesses. With limited match play, his opening rounds at Wimbledon could be trickier than usual.
As the tennis world watches, one thing is clear: Djokovic’s quest for history will require every ounce of his legendary adaptability. The Giorgio Armani Classic was a start—but only a start.
For now, the king of grass has work to do.