Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic showcased his skills by defeating Dan Evans, which may be the British veteran’s last appearance at Wimbledon.
Evans, currently ranked 154th in the world and granted a wildcard entry to the All England Club, lost the second-round match with a score of 6-3, 6-2, 6-0.
The 38-year-old Serbian star delivered an impressive serving performance that left Evans visibly astonished at times.
The 35-year-old British player, cheered on by a supportive Centre Court crowd, managed to win only nine out of 58 receiving points (16%) during the match.
Djokovic, seeded sixth this year, also proved why he remains one of the top returners in men’s tennis by converting six out of his 16 break points.
It was a remarkable performance from the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who is looking to match Roger Federer’s record for the most Wimbledon men’s singles titles.
Additionally, Djokovic is aiming for a standalone record 25th major title, having not won one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments since the 2023 US Open.
“Everyone knew it would be a special atmosphere today – facing a Brit in Britain is never easy,” said Djokovic, who achieved his 99th match victory at Wimbledon.
“He’s a talented player with great skills, and the low slice can be tricky if you’re not at your best. But I think I was. I executed my game perfectly. Sometimes you have days where everything just clicks.”
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Djokovic’s victory sets up a third-round match against fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic, with a spot in the last 16 at stake.
Returning to Centre Court to face arguably the greatest male player in history was a significant opportunity for Evans.
A decline in form and injuries over the past couple of years had briefly dropped him outside the top 200 earlier this year.
The challenges of aging and a deep sense of “letting down” his family and supporters have been particularly hard for him to cope with.
This emotional burden caused Evans to break down during his pre-tournament press conference at Wimbledon as he shared his feelings.
His excitement in celebrating a victory over fellow British wildcard Jay Clarke in the first round highlighted his joy at securing another valuable win at Wimbledon.
While Evans has stated he has no immediate plans to retire, he is aware that his career may not have much time left.
When asked if this could be his final Wimbledon, he replied, “I don’t know. We’ll see what this year brings. I need to make a decision at the end of the year.
There will definitely be discussions about what I want to do. It’s not getting any easier, that’s for sure. Waking up after matches is tough now.”