Returning Hubert Hurkacz’s serve is one of the most significant challenges in the grass-court game, regardless of whether it is played indoors or outdoors and regardless of the weather conditions, but Novak Djokovic managed to do so at Wimbledon 2023. However, Novak Djokovic found a way to neutralize the Pole’s powerful serve and secure a fourth-round victory at Wimbledon on Monday. The seven-time champion emerged victorious despite Hurkacz hitting 33 aces in the match that started on Sunday evening in London.
“[It was] kind of two different matches: last night and today,” said Djokovic, who had led Hurkacz by two sets to love overnight before wrapping a 7-6(6), 7-6(6), 5-7, 6-4 win. “Completely different conditions. Playing under the roof was more humid, and more slippery. Obviously, no wind. A bit easier for the rhythm of the serve. At the same time, it was a bit slower from the back of the court.
“Today, completely different. Very, very windy. Difficult to get the rhythm and tempo on the toss. It didn’t seem to affect him much.
“Today, completely different. Very, very windy. Difficult to get the rhythm and tempo on the toss. It didn’t seem to affect him much.
Djokovic
“I thought maybe that could be my chance to start reading his serve a bit better. That wasn’t the case. He was serving incredibly well. I don’t recall being so helpless on the return games, to be honest. I knew that he’s a big server and he’s a fantastic player on the grass particularly, but I didn’t expect him to serve this well and this accurately. Credit to him.”
Djokovic was clearly upset after the third set loss at this year’s Wimbledon. Hurkacz had not yet even broken serve. The World No. 2 recovered his calm on Centre Court. He served out the match in the seventh game of the fourth set after eventually breaking through against Hurkacz’s delivery.
Djokovic comments on his mental battle with Hurkacz at Wimbledon
“I go through my moments,” said Djokovic, when asked about his mental battle as Hurkacz threatened a comeback. “And I think in matches like this, where you don’t have many chances at all in the service games of your opponent, when they’re presented and you don’t use them, then obviously the pressure builds up.
“I don’t have as strong a serve as Hurkacz. I had to probably work a bit more for my service games, and I knew that. Eventually that pressure that builds up just goes out.
“I was frustrated the way I played the last game of the third set. Also credit to him, he played a really, really good game. I was a bit passive, and the set was gone. I liked my chances going into a tie-break in the third set. That’s why I was, of course, more frustrated.”
Djokovic, who has now won 32 straight matches, will face Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals of the grass-court major thanks to his tenacity. Despite having a 3-1 Lexus ATP Head2Head series advantage over Rublev going into that match, the Serbian is well aware of what the seventh seed will bring to the table.
“Andrey Rublev is a fantastic player who’s got one of the best forehands in the game,” said Djokovic. “He brings a lot of intensity to the court with his grunts. He kind of scares off his opponents across the net. He’s an extremely nice guy and works as hard as anybody out there to be a Top 10 player, which he has been for the last several years. He’s one of the most consistent players on all surfaces. I have lots of respect for him.
“I was surprised that he has actually never reached the semi-finals of a Grand Slam, which obviously will serve as a motivation more for him tomorrow, to be inspired, and play his best tennis.”
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