Novak Djokovic, agreed Alex de Minaur, remains “the ultimate challenge” on grass.
The Australian No.1, who will face the seven-time Wimbledon winner in his quarter-final bow at the event, added ruefully that Djokovic was a handful on acrylic hardcourts as well.
Recalling his 6-2 6-1 6-2 defeat in the Australian Open in January 2023, de Minaur said, “I played Novak once in a slam. It’s fair to say it was quite a challenge.”
That was just 18 months ago but the 25-year-old added brightly, “I think I’m a different player. I’m definitely looking forward to the challenge.”
De Minaur has played Djokovic since that chastening fourth round Melbourne encounter – and beaten him.
That was at the United Cup in Perth at the start of the year, de Minaur winning 6-4 6-4. But on clay in Monte Carlo a few months later Djokovic won 7-5 6-4.
Since then the No.2 seed has had an operation on a torn meniscus, barely a month ago, and is playing with a support on his knee. Yet he has cruised through to the last eight at Wimbledon, dropping two sets in four matches.
“I’m not surprised,” said de Minaur.
“We’ve seen him do these things in the past, recover and be back like he never left.
“He’s one of those guys that looks after his body, does all the one per centers.
“There were rumours he was maybe going to miss Wimby. I knew deep down he was going to be back.
“It doesn’t shock me that he’s back in the quarter-finals, playing some great tennis, looking like he never left. It’s just what Novak does.”
After defeating No.15 seed Holger Rune in straight sets Djokovic himself said, “I’m feeling great on the court. The knee has been really – knock on wood, really good.”
Turning to the threat posed by de Minaur the Serb said: “He is one of the quickest, if not the quickest player on the tour, so I am going to have to do a lot of running. Fortunately I am enjoying my running still at the age of 37.
“He has improved so much in the last year-and-a-half. In the Australian Open I played a terrific match. But from that match until today, watching his progress, seeing him get into top 10, is not a surprise.
“He’s always had that speed. He’s always had that incredible defence and crafty hands on all the surfaces, particularly the quicker ones.”
Referring to Australia’s last Wimbledon champion, who has been with de Minaur all fortnight, Djokovic added: “Lleyton Hewitt is in his corner, a mentor and coach that has been with him for many years.
“It’s a great match as Lleyton played quite similar to Alex. So I’ve seen him only going in the right direction.
“His serve became a weapon. That maybe wasn’t the case before. He takes the ball so early. He’s not afraid to come to the net. He’s a great all-around player.
“I’m sure he’s going to come out on the court giving his all and believing he can win. He already beat me this year in Australia, so there’s no reason why he wouldn’t think that he can win that match.”
Indeed, de Minaur said he viewed the contest, which Nick Kyrgios, here as a TV pundit, said will be a blockbuster, as “a 50-50 match”.
But Djokovic, who is seeking to equal Roger Federer’s eight Wimbledon titles, added ominously, “obviously grand slam is a whole different game. I like my chances.”
