Novak Djokovic will not reflect until 'on the beach with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal' ahead of hitting Wimbledon milestone
Updated 04/07/2025 at 00:09 GMT+1
Novak Djokovic's charge towards a historic 25th Grand Slam title gathered pace as he quelled Dan Evans' early energy to claim a dominant victory in the Wimbledon second round. Looking to pull level with Roger Federer's record of eight titles at SW19, Djokovic said he will not sit back and reflect on his career until he is "on the beach" alongside his former Swiss rival, and Rafael Nadal.
Wimbledon highlights: Djokovic brushes aside Evans, Swiatek & Sinner progress, Draper out
Video credit: SNTV
After securing his spot in the third round of Wimbledon with a straight-sets victory over Dan Evans, Novak Djokovic said he does not "have time" yet to reflect on his illustrious career.
Djokovic, hunting a record 25th Grand Slam title, displayed a serving masterclass on Centre Court, the venue which has seen him crowned Wimbledon champion on seven occasions, to oust Evans despite a bright start from the Brit.
Now aged 38, Djokovic continued his run to the third round, 20 years on from making his first appearance at the All England Club. But when asked whether he reflects on his past, Djokovic said he would only begin to do so when sipping "margaritas on the beach" with his old rivals.
"I don't pause to reflect," he said. "I don't have time. Being on the highest level on professional tennis requires a lot of dedication.
"I don't play as much as I did before but the weeks I don't play, I play at home with my kids. I don't reflect fully on everything I have been through.
"I would like to but I think that will come when I set the racquet aside and then sip margaritas on the beach with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and just reflect on our rivalry and everything."
A 25th Grand Slam title would see Djokovic pull clear of his joint-record alongside Margaret Court, and he could well have been handed a banana skin in drawing Evans for the second round.
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The Brit's singles ranking took a hit last year when he decided to join forces with the retiring Andy Murray to play doubles at the Olympic Games, rather than defend his ATP 500 title at the Citi Open. Having once been on the cusp of breaking into the top 20 of the men's game, Evans, now ranked No. 154, triumphed in the pair's only meeting in Monte Carlo four years ago.
But Djokovic found parity in their head-to-head record with a comfortable second-round victory, cruising to a 6-3 6-2 6-0 conclusion, and credited the "special atmosphere" on Centre Court, despite the overriding consensus from the home crowd being in support of Evans.
"A Brit in Britain is never easy to face," Djokovic said. "Dan Evans can be causing a lot of trouble if you are not on your game which I think I was from the beginning to be honest.
"I knew exactly what I needed to do and I executed it perfectly. Sometimes you have these kinds of days where everything goes your way."
The victory was Djokovic's 99th at Wimbledon, and he will hunt a century against compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic in the third round.
On his chances of winning Wimbledon for an eighth time this month, he said: "If I play like today, I feel like I have a very good chance against anybody, really, on the Centre Court of Wimbledon, a place where I maybe feel the most comfortable on any court. Rod Laver Arena and Wimbledon Centre Court are the two courts where I've done so well throughout my career.
"I felt great physically, mentally sharp. Game-wise, I'm playing as well as I can, really, on grass. So hopefully I can keep it up.
"Of course, it's great. You want to keep on playing this way. It can be only one day, one match. Tomorrow or in two days can be a different story. I don't know. I'm trying to be cautious and keep it going. But yeah, aspirations and objectives are very high to go all the way."
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