Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic hinted he lacked the “champions mentality today” after seeing off battling British wild card Jacob Fearnley to reach the third round at Wimbledon.
First and foremost, huge congrats to Jacob Fearnley for an amazing match today. He put in a great effort and played very good tennis Novak Djokovic
And he was quick to praise Fearnley as he hung on to his record of only ever losing once to a home player at a Grand Slam in a 6-3 6-4 5-7 7-5 victory on a blustery Centre Court.
It was deserved as his Scottish opponent did his damnedest to emulate the feat of compatriot Andy Murray who became that lone major conqueror of the Serbian as he lifted the All England’s coveted golden trophy in 2013.
Former American university student Fearnley, 22 and ranked 277, adopted an aggressive approach and was helped by uncharacteristic errors from the winner of the most men’s majors in history.
Djokovic edged into a two-set lead but Fearnley, who made his Slam debut beating Alejandro Moro Canas in the opening round, kept his head up.
The Nottingham Challenger title winner, who defeated defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and world No.1 Jannik Sinner as a junior, halved the deficit, taking advantage of an erratic Djokovic.
And in the fourth set he ran the 37-year-old holder of 24 Slams close, holding two break points, before being edged out.
Djokovic said: “First and foremost, huge congrats to Jacob Fearnley for an amazing match today. He put in a great effort and played very good tennis.
Novak Djokovic gives Jacob Fearnley a pat on the back following their match
(Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
“I didn’t have a chance to see him play. Actually, two days ago, I saw him for the first time. Obviously, there’s always an element of surprise and nothing to lose, him playing in Wimbledon, always going to be tough.
“Most of the British players grow up being exposed to grass courts, quick surfaces, so they know exactly how to play. A very windy day, very challenging conditions and I thought he served very well.
“It was very difficult to break his serve. He made me work – definitely. I was probably a bit lucky in the fourth to not go a break down.
“Maybe I could have won the match in three, but I think all in all, this match potentially deserved to get into a fifth the way we both played, the way Fearnley played particularly in the fourth, but I’m very glad it didn’t.”
