Novak Djokovic shares ‘danger’ of perfect start in Tel Aviv

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Novak Djokovic has reflected on his return to tennis after making a winning start in Tel Aviv, beating Pablo Adujar 6-0 6-3 in his first competitive match since winning Wimbledon more than two months ago. The Serb won the first seven games of the match but admitted it was “dangerous” to get off to such a perfect start.

Djokovic is playing the ATP 250 event in Tel Aviv this week, his first regular tour competition since he won his 21st Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in July. The world No 7 looked as though he was never away as he needed just 86 minutes to down the world No 115 for the loss of just three games.

Despite being so dominant early on in the match, the 35-year-old has now shared the risks of getting off to a flawless start after advancing to the quarter-finals. “To win all the games. 6-0 1-0 is a perfect result when you look at the scoreboard, but at the same time it is very dangerous, because you cannot play better than you are already doing, and the opponent can let us raise the level,” he said after the match.

And the Spaniard proved him right, as he turned things around following a lengthy 11-deuce game which saw Andujar save five break points to finally get on the board, in what Djokovic called one of the “longest games” he’d ever played. “So I knew it was going to happen. I am happy that I kept the serve in those few moments,” the Serb added.

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Explaining how the world No 115 managed to raise his level, Djokovic continued: “He tried to enter the field, be aggressive, he played outstanding and attractive points.” And the world No 7 admitted that what seemed like a routine opening match was extra special after he was left unable to play for the last two months.

“I am satisfied that I had that challenge in the second set. I missed tennis because I didn’t play competitively for almost three months, so thank you for coming and making this evening special,” he told the crowd.

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Reflecting on the match, he said: “The first match started perfectly for me, I won the first seven games, then we fought in that long second game, certainly one of the longest games I’ve played so far, and I’ve played a lot of games in my life. Congratulations to Pablo for fighting and playing a great match.

“In the second set it was uncertain, even, until 4-3, then I managed to get a break to stay strong and focused and close the match very well. I am very happy with my game, I hope to continue like this tomorrow.” Djokovic will now face Vasek Pospisil for a spot in the semi-finals. The 35-year-old and the Canadian are very familiar with each other off-court, as they founded the Professional Tennis Players Association together in 2020.

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