Day Two of The Boodles 2016
Djokovic: Holding all four Grand Slams is a 'remarkable achievement'
Novak Djokovic kicked off his Wimbledon preparations with a fun filled match against David Goffin at The Boodles.
In his first match since winning Roland Garros the world number one entertained the crowd at Stoke Park despite eventually losing out 63 75 to Goffin.
Djokovic was in a relaxed mood and said he was both "proud and thrilled" to hold all four Grand Slams at the same time.
"I always look forward to coming back to The Boodles every year, it's a great way for me to get some match play in the build up to Wimbledon. There's no champagne for me but I've heard and smelt a lot of people drinking champagne throughout the match and it's great to see people being entertained and I hope they enjoyed some good tennis."
Asked about his recent success at Roland Garros the Serbian said:
"There is a great sense of relief no doubt about it (on winning all four Grand Slams) but one thing we all learn in tennis is to reset a day or week later that's the kind of sport we're in. We don't have too much time to reflect on what we have achieved. Of course I'm very proud and very thrilled to be able to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time, it's a remarkable achievement for my team and I but we're moving on and it's back on grass starting from scratch now. It's great that behind the corner we have Wimbledon, back to back Grand Slams in less than a month and that will definitely make me focus and stay the journey."
Djokovic will face rising star Nick Kyrgios in tomorrow's match in front of another sell-out crowd at The Boodles before heading to Wimbledon to start his campaign for a fourth title. When asked about Andy Murray's decision to team up once again with Ivan Lendl he said:
"I don't think it's a surprising decision from Andy (to work with coach Ivan Lendl again), when Ivan was his coach before Andy won a couple of Grand Slams and an Olympic gold medal, some of the best results of his career so I think it was a logical move for him to take and they're a good team so it's going to be interesting."
On his win over Djokovic World no.11, David Goffin said:
"I’m feeling really good, it’s the perfect practice before Wimbledon. The court and the atmosphere is really nice here, the court is perfect, so I’m feeling good and it was a good match."
"I had a good run in Roland Garros so my level was there but it’s never easy to play on clay and then the following week on grass, it’s never easy to change surface. I think I’m a good player on grass but I think I need some time, so I think this week I am feeling much better than last week and the week before, so I think my game is almost ready to start Wimbledon."
Great Britain's Aljaz Bedene made a good start in his final preparations for Wimbledon by beating Robin Haase 64 64. Bedene, who has impressed with performances against some of the world's top players said he was enjoying his tennis at the moment.
"I've played more tournaments in my preparation for Wimbledon this year, I really enjoyed playing Queens in front of a home crowd and against Andy Murray, one of the best players in the world. I'm feeling confident ahead of Wimbledon, the most important thing is that I'm enjoying my tennis and then we'll see what happens."
In other matches Serbia's Viktor Troicki defeated Frenchman Lucas Pouille 64 75 and birthday boy Janko Tipsarevic, who turned 32 today, beat Argentinian Juan Monaco 64 75.
Results - Wednesday 22 June 2016
Aljaz Bedene (GBR) d. Robin Haase (NED) 64 64
David Goffin (BEL) d. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 63 75
Viktor Troicki (SRB) d. Lucas Pouille (FRA) 64 75
Janko Tipsarevic (SRB) d. Juan Monaco (ARG) 64 75
Order of Play Day 3 - Thursday 23rd June 2016 - 12.30pm Start
12:30
John Isner (USA) v Jeremy Chardy (FRA)
14:30
Novak Djokovic (SRB) v Nick Kyrgios (AUS)
Followed by
Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) v Gilles Simon (FRA)
Not before 17:00
Borna Coric (CRO) v Fabio Fognini (ITA)