Djokovic dangers upsetting Wimbledon rivals with cocky remark after Rublev win
Novak Djokovic has warned rivals dreaming of an enormous win towards him at Wimbledon that ‘it ain’t taking place’. The 23-time Grand Slam winner threw humility to 1 aspect on Centre Court after beating Andrey Rublev in 4 units and marching by means of to the semi-finals at SW19.
Eyebrows had been raised on the All England Club when Rublev went a set to the great on Tuesday night. However, as has been seen so usually, that solely woke up a beast inside Djokovic, and it was a one-sided match from then on.
Although Rublev performed his half in a number of memorable rallies that received the Centre Court crowd off their seats, he was no match for Djokovic on the day, with the Serb now steaming in the direction of a semi-final conflict towards Jannik Sinner on Friday.
After the match, which was gained in 4 units that unfolded in slightly below three hours, Djokovic was requested the way it feels to be the participant everybody else desires to beat. “I love it,” he responded.
“Any tennis player wants to be in that position. It’s a privilege. Pressure is part of what we do regardless of how many Grand Slams you’ve won.
“It awakens probably the most stunning feelings in me and it motivates me past what I’ve ever dreamed of. It evokes me to play my finest tennis. I do know they wish to get a scalp however… it ain’t taking place.”
Among those who could take Djokovic’s words to heart is Sinner, who powered through to the semi-finals courtesy of a four-set win over Roman Safiullin on Tuesday. World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz may also sit up and take note, with the Spaniard projected to meet Djokovic in this year’s Wimbledon final.
In beating Rublev, Djokovic reached the 46th Grand Slam semi-final of his career, equalling the men’s record set by Roger Federer. However, the Serb maintains that he is focused on other things until the tournament concludes.
“In phrases of the numbers, thanks for bringing them up however they’re simply the numbers,” added the 36-year-old. “I do not spend an excessive amount of time desirous about statistics in the course of the event.
“It’s active for me and I’m still in it, that’s all I’m thinking about right now. It’s only going to get tougher, I know that, but I like the way I played today and hopefully I’ll have anoter win in a few days’ time.”