Wimbledon 2022: Novak Djokovic sends Australia a sharp message with second round victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis

Six months after being expelled from Australia, Novak Djokovic reminds everyone down under – and especially Thanasi Kokkinakis – he remains the king of tennis.

Novak Djokovic celebrates his second round victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis. Picture: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic sent Australia a sharp message six months after being expelled from the country amid fears from the immigration minister he would incite dangerous anti-vaccination sentiment: and the hapless recipient was Adelaide’s Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Djokovic, 35, who still faces difficulty returning to Australia after the high profile border nightmare which included stints in a detention hotel earlier this year, dismantled Kokkinakis 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in a one sided second round match overnight (AEST) on Wimbledon’s centre court.

But the Serb player insisted he hadn’t upped his intensity because he was playing an opponent with “Australia” next to his name.

“I don’t have any grudge over anybody really coming from Australia,” he said, despite the trauma of being labelled Australian public enemy number one.

Still it was clear that libertarian Djokovic added extra spice to his trademark game on Wednesday, with top notch rallies, brilliant net play and lunging returns.

🔜 Round 3 @DjokerNole defeats Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-1 6-4 6-2 to secure himself a place in the next round! 🙌

📹: @Wimbledon | #Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/Xzs9BtzAtq

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 29, 2022

Kokkinakis, who started with a broken string on just the second point, was left utterly demoralised. He said he hoped the Australian experience had indeed motivated Djokovic because “if that is not his top intensity, I got chopped even more”.

“He was just going the right way, every passing shot I had I didn’t really see a way forward.

“It is like playing a wall, that’s what if felt like, he just did everything right. He made things uncomfortable and practically he was on point against me. He definitely made me feel uncomfortable.”

Kokkinakis said he didn’t have a chance to ask Djokovic about his Australian experience because “the seeds have a better locker room: they are in the top locker room and I am with the plebs at the bottom”.

But Djokovic, who rated his performance as “really satisfying”, said he had a great relationship with Kokkinakis.

“My intensity was basically like any other match really. I just tried to execute the tactics and game plan and do what I can to win the match. I did not have any extra intensity or desire to win this match just because Thanasi is Australian,” he said.

Thanasi Kokkinakis ponders the problem that is Novak Djokovic. Picture: Getty Images

“Actually in contrary, I really have a good relationship with Thanasi. He’s a great guy. We get along off the court very well.”

Back in late January, when Djokovic returned to Belgrade having exhausted all avenues of appeal against his visa cancellation, Kokkinakis began an entertaining doubles combination with Nick Kyrgios, with the “Special Ks” winning the Australian Open doubles title.

They captioned vision of their triumph on special media as “WINNNNERS BABYYYYY!!!!!!!”

Less than half a year later, Kyrgios has been demonised for spitting towards a spectator, Kokkinakis has been given a tennis lesson on the biggest stage, the government minister Alex Hawke is now in opposition and Djokovic is hitting hot form in his bid to win a 21st grand slam.

Earlier this week, Djokovic said the post-Australian period had been emotionally challenging, with the sensation of returning to the court being very different and “not very pleasant”. But he insisted, “I have moved on”.

Whether Australia has moved on and will allow Djokovic to play in next year’s Australian Open is yet to be determined.