Djokovic opens 25th Grand Slam bid with win
Djokovic had a successful start to his quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam crown. Photo: Reuters
Novak Djokovic shrugged off the loss of a set to cruise through to the Wimbledon second round as he launched his mission to win a record 25th Grand Slam.
The veteran Serb, a seven-time winner at the All England Club, won 6-1, 6-7 (7/9), 6-2, 6-2 against French world number 41 Alexandre Muller.
He dominated the first set on Centre Court, breaking three times, but Muller levelled the match after taking the second set tie-break.
Sixth-seeded Djokovic resumed normal service in the third set and a couple of breaks in the fourth set sealed the deal.
He has been tied with long-retired Margaret Court on 24 Grand Slam singles titles since 2023 and he believes his most realistic hope of a historic 25th win lies at the All England Club.
Djokovic, who has lost the past two Wimbledon finals to Carlos Alcaraz, has the added incentive of pulling level with the retired Roger Federer, who won a record eight men's titles at the All England Club.
He has been in every Wimbledon final since 2018 but at 38 he knows time is running out as Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner establish a stranglehold at the top of the men's game. (AFP)
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