Novak Djokovic emerged triumphant on the British grass once again, as he secured a victory against Frances Tiafoe at the 2023 Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic held at Hurlingham
Novak Djokovic was victorious back on British grass as he defeated Frances Tiafoe at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic at Hurlingham.
According to plannetsport.com, the 36-year-old will bid to equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles over the next fortnight, and he looked fully at ease in a light-hearted clash at the exhibition event.
Leading up to Wimbledon, the Serb doesn’t usually play warm-up tournaments, yet, he still managed to win seven trophies on the grass courts in SW19. When Djokovic elects to play ahead of the third Grand Slam of the season, it’s an exhibition tournament, and he did the same also this year, tennis-infinity.com.
The Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic at the Hurlingham Tennis Club is a prestigious tournament, even though it’s not an official ATP event. It always attracts many tennis fans, but especially many great tennis players.
Djokovic is one of the players that competed also in the past, so it was not a surprise when he signed up also in 2023. He was scheduled to play only one match, but it was a match that would definitely test the 23-time Grand Slam champion.
Frances Tiafoe is one of the players that doesn’t have a problem with confidence and loves playing big matches. Moreover, the American loves grass and for Djokovic it was an ideal opponent as the two may meet in the late stages at Wimbledon.
Tiafoe showed that he came to fight for the win early on, having a break point on Djokovic’s first service game in the first set. But after the 36-year-old saved that break point, his opponent seemingly couldn’t find an answer.
The 23-time major winner controlled the game on his serve, however, Tiafoe struggled to keep up, allowing Djokovic to have three break points. Using one was enough for the seven-time Wimbledon champion who won the first set 6-3.
But Tiafoe wouldn’t make the same mistake again in the second set. He created multiple break point chances, and this time used one of those. Moreover, he saved two break points of his opponent and won the second set 6-3.
Due to the exhibition nature of the tournament, the third set is a super tie-break to 10, so that matches aren’t too long. Using all of his experience, Djokovic controlled that from start to finish to win his only match in preparation for the 2023 Wimbledon, 6-3, 3-6, 10-7.
As he has routinely done in recent years, Djokovic did not enter an official warm-up tournament, instead prioritising rest and recuperation after winning his 23rd grand slam title at the French Open.
The Serbian practised on Centre Court with Italian Jannik Sinner on Thursday afternoon before making the short trip across the river to Hurlingham, where he struck the ball crisply in a 6-3 3-6 (10/7) victory over Tiafoe.
“It’s always fun playing with Frances,” said Djokovic. “We get along really well. Obviously Wimbledon’s round the corner so we try to get some match play. It’s a beautiful club.”
Of his hit with Sinner, Djokovic added: “It was a little bit strange I must say that they’re allowing us to hit on Centre Court before the tournament starts. It was the first time last year.
“This year I had the privilege again, to go out on fresh grass, feel the court. It’s the best court in the world. Every year feels like the first time. It’s going to be another great year hopefully for all of us.”
