Novak Djokovic refuses to interrupt distinctive Wimbledon custom after beating Tiafoe

Novak Djokovic gave a straight-faced response to a request to repeat his Wimbledon custom of consuming the grass after his win over Frances Tiafoe on the Hurlingham Club on Thursday. Djokovic has frequently forgone taking part in in any warm-up grass occasions earlier than Wimbledon and its labored wonders for him lately.

The 36-year-old has not misplaced a match on the British Grand Slam since 2017 having gained the final 4 tournaments held. He’s as soon as once more the favorite heading into subsequent week and made his return to the court docket earlier within the day on Centre Court.

The All England Club broke with custom final 12 months to permit restricted pre-tournament observe on each Centre and No 1 Courts. Wimbledon defined it was a transfer to try to forestall extra slips and accidents within the early rounds of the event as a result of floor not being damaged in.

But Djokovic does not appear to be an enormous fan of the custom being deserted as he admitted it was nonetheless a “little strange” to be training on Centre Court earlier than the event. Not lengthy after Djokovic returned to the Wimbledon courts, Djokovic was again in motion for his first match since profitable the French Open earlier this month.

The Serbian tennis celebrity gave the followers in attendance on the Hurlingham Club loads of leisure all through the match because it went to a Championship tie-break decider. Djokovic finally rounded out the victory 6-3 3-6 10-7 and acquired a standing ovation from the gang.

After his match, Djokovic was then requested whether or not he would eat the grass from the Hurlingham Club court docket. But Djokovic baulked on the request, laughingly responding: “I only eat Wimbledon grass.”