Wimbledon 2018 – The return of Novak Djokovic is a serious threat

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Out on Court # 1, on the same pitch where the unexpected fall of Novak Djokovic started with a third-round defeat against Sam Querrey in 2016, this swirling and swirling breeze heralds a change in 39, a very different kind. This did not seem to bother Djokovic much, and in the last two years this man had easily been troubled. Only a few weeks ago, he could have been disturbed by the conditions, a symbol of his own inner turmoil, sent to torment him. More now

This was a different Djokovic from the philosopher who struggled and suspected himself lately. He mastered the tough conditions with confidence, giving the kickoff of his long comeback with a row, controlled and tripled victory over 22-year-old Russian star Karen Khachanov. On Wednesday, he will play Kei Nishikori (Djokovic leads his series, 13-2) for a spot in the semifinals.

Whatever the outcome of it, the former 31-year-old Wimbledon champion looked a lot like his former self-badertive since the start of this tournament.

"I felt like in the last month and a half, the level of tennis was very close to where I would like it to be, where I'm used to having it. , so to speak, and to play, "said Djokovic Monday. "Wimbledon is obviously a very special tournament, so I guess it's getting the most out of you, it allows you to focus."

who supports and welcomes the idea that Djokovic turned the corner is his ephemeral but still faithful coach, Andre Agbadi. "It's great to see Novak healthy and find its shape," Agbadi wrote to ESPN.com in a text. "It's fun to watch and perfect for the game and easy for me to take root after the time we spent together."

There have been many signals of a rebirth of Djokovic, starting with the pugnacious stance he's taken with a group of fans. who harbaded him in his third round match with the last British hope left standing, Kyle Edmund. The fans took umbrage at the time Djokovic was taking between the points – the chair umpire did the same, hitting Djokovic with a time violation warning – and the number of times he bounced the ball between the points. two.

their fake coughing and whistling as he was preparing to serve, Djokovic engaged, shooting at them and mumbling. He even kissed them poisonously. "They [the fans] continued, they continued, provoking," Djokovic explained later. "It's something I can tolerate a bit, but I'm going to show that I'm here, too, that they can not do what they want to do."

Djokovic let his racket fly a few times, allowed a choice below sometimes to express his frustration when he made a stupid mistake or wasted an opportunity of choice.

This man is far from insecure, nasty gambler who was exposed earlier in the clay season. Then, if he missed a line of an inch or two, he pinched his thumb and forefinger and shook his head simulating consternation, telling the world how much it was unfair. When an enemy companion shot was cleaning a line, Djokovic's face said "lucky" rather than "too good," and he sometimes threw his arms in a gesture of disgust that suggested that everything was the fault of the stupid court.

[it’s been hard] ", said Djokovic." I was so lucky to have so much success on the circuit for over 10 years, I was a top 3 player during so many years in a row, it was a pretty strange feeling for me not to be able to deliver my game that I know how to own, that I know how to deliver for so many years, that is to say, was frustrating, to be honest. "

The remaining Wimbledon contenders take note: The forensics of the Manic Monday encounter with Khachanov was filled with Djokovic's vintage elements. Admittedly, Khachanov is only 22 years old. He was not prepared for the wind that came up shortly before 18:55. start the time and make the balloon launch an adventure. But the wind is hurting the turner, but Djokovic managed to gain 14 break points (Khachanov only had three), winning seven. The main reason: Djokovic has always had his return to play. As a result, Khachanov managed to get Khachanov to strike one more ball than his game.

Khachanov has now played every Big Four, so he has reason to compare. He thinks Djokovic is ready to challenge anyone for the title. "He's playing well now," Khachanov said. "Okay, he had trouble early in the year, maybe a few months, but he found a way he is back."

The curious thing about Djokovic's resurgence is that he's about to come back several times, only to retreat – sometimes in a really disconcerting way. This year, he has fallen to the quarterfinals, semi-finals and finals, and remains untitled since he's won Eastbourne's minor title more than a year ago.

The most egregious example of Djokovic's strange tendency His performance at the Open de France allowed him to qualify for the quarter-finals, Marco Cecchinato (19459038), No. 72, who had never won a Grand Slam singles match until this tournament. Dazed, angry, discouraged, Djokovic had an unusually brief and combative meeting with the press after this loss, culminating with a startling badertion: "I do not know if I will play the grbad."