Wimbledon 2023: Novak Djokovic beats Aussie Jordan Thompson

Jordan Thompson stretched Djokovic more than he expected, taking the second set to a tie break in an uncharacteristic serve and volley game.

Novak Djokovic plays a forehand against Jordan Thompson. Picture: Getty Images.

Novak Djokovic continued his romance with Wimbledon centre court, continuing an unbeaten run to maintain a decade long winning streak.

But his beaten second round opponent, Australian Jordan Thompson stretched the Serbian more than he expected, taking the second set to a tie break and testing Djokovic at the net in an uncharacteristic serve and volley game.

The scoreline of 6-3, 7-6, 7-5 perhaps doesn’t indicate how well Thompson played under the intensity of the centre court, earning a legion of new fans with his booming serve, and 20 aces and adjusting his usual baseline style to try and throw Djokovic off balance.

Thirty six year old Djokovic, as usual, kissed the court which he has not lost on for 2184 days and cupped his hands to his ears as if to goad the crowd into loving him after the win.

“Every time I try to marvel and enjoy every moment on the court, it is a huge privilege at my age and at this point of my career and to push it with the young guns,” Djokovic said.

“I don’t know how long, but we have a very romantic and special relationship this court and I do, but don’t want to meet him this early in the tournament, congrats to him, he was a bit unlucky in the second set, he played a great match and deserves big round of applause for sure.”

Jordan Thompson stretched Novak Djokovic more than he expected. Picture: Getty Images.

This was Djokovic’s 30th consecutive Wimbledon victory, 350th Grand Slam win, and incredibly he hasn’t lost a Wimbledon centre court match since 2013. The last occasion was a loss in the final to Andy Murray.

Djokovic’s reaction upon winning where he clenched his fists and pursed his lips to his coach and supporters in the player’s box showed that the match was somewhat more challenging than he had been anticipating from a player ranked number 70.

Djokovic said he had not wanted to meet Thompson this early in the tournament, adding, “congratulations to him, he was a bit unlucky in second set, he played a great match and deserves big round of applause for sure.”

Said Thompson, 29, of the experience: “I only got broken twice but to be honest I didn’t get a look in on his serve. I put in a good performance, but he was quite dominant.

“I am not a serve volleyer but I did that every first serve and more than half on my second serve.”

Thompson only hit two double faults, one of which was in the second set tie breaker and Djokovic responded with a couple of aces.

The crowd had rallied behind Sydneysider Thompson, once again leaving Djokovic frustrated about what he has to do to win over the centre court support.

“One person didn’t learn a lesson, yelling ‘Nole’ and a thousand yelled back with my name, that was fun to be a part of,’’ noted Thompson.

“Rafe (Nadal) and Roger (Federer), they are loved, Novak is highly highly respected. 23 grand slams, I can see why he is one of the greatest of all time. It can be irritating for him, but I reckon I would rather be in his shoes.’’

Thompson added: “When I play I get a fair bit of crowd support and I say to my coach I don’t know where it comes from, whether it's the former moustache or the Australia-England (rivalry) and way I go about things, but I always seem to get the crowd support.”

Meanwhile on court seven Alex Popyrin was downed by the Swiss qualifier, 20 year old Dominic Stricker in five sets. 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5.