Djokovic apologises for pranking ball kid during 'vintage' Wimbledon win

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, secured a dominant second-round victory at Wimbledon against Stefanos Tsitsipas with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. The match, which lasted just under an hour and 38 minutes, was described as a “vintage” performance by Djokovic himself, reflecting the high standards he has maintained throughout his career. This win marks Djokovic’s continued pursuit of equaling Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles. His performance drew praise from commentators, including 2017 semifinalist Sam Querrey, who noted that Djokovic appeared to be playing at his peak, reminiscent of his performance at the Australian Open. Querrey suggested that if Djokovic could maintain this level of play for the rest of the tournament, he would have a strong chance of winning the championship.

During the match, Djokovic demonstrated not only his skill on the court but also a lighter side. As the second set concluded and Tsitsipas took a break, Djokovic used the downtime to engage in a playful moment with a ball girl. He asked her to assist him in trimming some excess fabric from his shoulder. When she attempted to make the cut, Djokovic reacted as though she had accidentally touched his skin, causing her to jump in surprise. The incident prompted laughter from the crowd and a brief moment of tension, although Djokovic quickly apologized both during and after the match. He expressed regret for potentially startling the young ball girl and acknowledged that the joke might not have been appropriate. Despite the lighthearted nature of the situation, Djokovic emphasized that he felt relaxed and in control of his performance, which contributed to his overall success in the match.

Following his victory, Djokovic is set to face French 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech in the third round. Meanwhile, other notable performances included Jannik Sinner’s straightforward progression through the rounds, where he defeated Portuguese player Nuno Borges in a tightly contested match. Sinner admitted that he was not aiming for perfection in his second match on grass but aimed to improve upon his previous performance. Other players such as eighth seed Daniil Medvedev and French Open runner-up Flavio Cobolli also advanced to the third round, showcasing their respective strengths on the court.

The tournament continues to highlight the competitive spirit among players, with emerging talents like Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca gaining attention from fans. Fonseca received enthusiastic support from his dedicated fan base, who wore yellow clothing to show their backing. Additionally, American qualifier Michael Zheng followed up his initial win against British number one Cameron Norrie with another straight-sets victory against Colombian player Nicolas Mejia. Fellow American Tommy Paul also advanced to the third round, securing his second consecutive win in straight sets against South Korean player Kwon Soon-woo.

As the tournament progresses, the focus remains on Djokovic’s potential to challenge for the title, given his current form and the support he receives from both fans and fellow players. With each match, the competition intensifies, setting the stage for further thrilling encounters in the upcoming rounds.