Defending champion Djokovic pushed by Kwon before advancing at Wimbledon

Wimbledon 2022 | Draw | Order of play

Top-seeded Novak Djokovic reached the second round of Wimbledon by edging out Soon Woo Kwon 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Centre Court in London on Monday.

Djokovic, ranked No 3, will face the winner of the match between Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis and Pole Kamil Majchrzak next.

Djokovic needed two hours and 27 minutes to get past the 81st-ranked Kwon, but buckled down after losing the second set and did not drop serve the rest of the way.

You are always going to feel a little less comfortable than you would like to, in the beginning

Novak Djokovic

The Serb finished with 31 winners against 29 unforced errors, and won 86 percent of his first-serve points to improve to 80-10 lifetime at Wimbledon.

“Credit to Kwon for playing some really high quality tennis,” Djokovic said. “You are always going to feel a little less comfortable than you would like to, in the beginning. Particularly if you are playing somebody as talented as Kwon, who stays close to the line and hits very clean from forehand and backhand side. It was really difficult to go through him.”

Djokovic – the flame still burns in me

The 20-time major champion stretches his Wimbledon winning streak to 22 matches – Djokovic has claimed the last three titles on offer at Wimbledon, in 2018, 2019 and 2021 – he has not lost a match at Wimbledon since 2017.

“For me it has always been the court where I dreamed of playing and winning,” six-time champion Djokovic recalled the crowd after his victory. “All my childhood dreams came true here in this court, at this tournament – of course it’s an absolute honour and pleasure to come back to Centre Court at Wimbledon.”

Additionally, Djokovic becomes the first player – male or female – to earn at least 80 victories at each of the four Grand Slams.

“This sport has given me everything,” Djokovic said. “I owe a lot, I love it still with all my heart – I have lots of passion for it. I’m as dedicated as anybody out there, of course I’m not one of the youngsters anymore, and things change a little bit, but the love and the flame for this sport still burns in me.

“Of course at this stage of my career I try to always play my best tennis at the Grand Slams… what can I say, now that we got to 80, let’s get to 100!”

WIMBLEDON 2022, THE SEED WHO LOST ON THE MEN’S DRAW, 1ST ROUND

Hurkacz (7), Cilic (14, W.O.), Carreño Busta (16)

WIMBLEDON 2022, THE SEEDS WHO WON ON THE MEN’S DRAW, 1ST ROUND

Djokovic (1), Ruud (3), Alcaraz (5), Norrie (9), Sinner (10), Isner (20), Basilashvili (22), Tiafoe (23), Kecmanovic (25), Paul (30), Otte (32)

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