Novak Djokovic recorded the 900th tour-level match-win of his career with a hard-fought 7-6(5) 6-2 2-6 6-1 success over Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in the first round of Australian Open 2020, and said he enjoyed every minute of it.
The defending champion had not dropped a set to Struff in either of their two previous meetings, but that pattern changed on Monday night. It wasn’t enough to overcome Djokovic, who is now a perfect 7-0 in 2020 – a year in which he has vowed to take more pleasure in doing his job.
Djokovic is bidding for a record-extending eighth Australian Open title this fortnight, while Struff entered the contest having won just one previous main draw match at Melbourne Park.
In their first meeting since the Roland Garros fourth round last year, Djokovic needed 136 minutes to move past the 37th-ranked Struff, and reach the second round at the Australian Open for a 14th consecutive year.
“It’s great to be back in this arena that has a very special place in my heart. This has been by far the most successful court in my career, I love coming back to Australia, the land of tennis. I want to thank everyone for staying until midnight and supporting both players,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview to John McEnroe, who told the Serb of the milestone he had achieved.
“I’m just starting. I’m kidding,” laughed Djokovic. “I’m obviously very proud of all the achievements, but at the same time I try to remind myself how grateful I am to be playing this sport at a high level at this stage of my career. I can’t take things for granted, I’m trying to enjoy every moment.
“It’s a New Year resolution I guess, to enjoy more. It’s easier said than done, when you’re on the court. Especially in my position, I’m expected to win all my matches, there’s a lot of pressure and emotions involved. But I try to really enjoy it, the two and half hours spent on court today were a lot of fun.”
Djokovic fired 14 aces during the match, and won 77 per cent of his first-serve points.
“Goran’s influence on me a little bit,” he said with a smile when discussing his excellent serving, referring to his coach Goran Ivanisevic, who was a famous ace machine during his playing days.
“Of course we talked about serve a lot and other parts of my game I can improve upon, and maybe get some more free points if possible.”
Both players were cruising on serve early on, but Struff blinked in game six to award Djokovic a break for 4-2.
The 29-year-old double-faulted to give Djokovic a set point at 2-5, but three huge serves got Struff out of trouble.
Struff may have hit the shot of the day the following game as Djokovic was serving for the opening set. The German ran down everything that came his way before angling a backhand passing shot for the winner.
He got his first break points of the match shortly after, converted on his second opportunity, and was soon on level terms with the Serb at 5-5.
Djokovic sped to a 3-0 lead in the tiebreak, and despite resistance from Struff, who saved a second set point, the world No.2 was able to wrap up the opening set on the 50-minute mark with his fifth ace of the match.
The reigning champion kicked off the second set with a break and was untroubled on his own serve as he strolled to a two-set lead.
Struff was not discouraged though, and handed Djokovic a taste of his own medicine on his way to a 2-0 start over the Serb in the third set.
Struff’s aggressive mentality pays off against many opponents, but when facing a player with supreme defensive skills like Djokovic, his all-out attacking style was not always effective. Attempting to serve-and-volley to try and consolidate his break, Struff saw a Djokovic return shoot past him, and it allowed the 16-time Grand Slam champion to erase his deficit and draw level.
A netted volley from Djokovic gave his rival an opening in game six and Struff grabbed the opportunity with both hands, his blistering return earning him a 4-2 advantage. This time, he confirmed his break of serve, and bagged the third set when Djokovic uncharacteristically hit back-to-back double faults.
Struff taking a set awakened Djokovic’s inner beast, and the 32-year-old was quickly up a break in the fourth. A return winner saw Djokovic get triple match point, and he secured the victory on his second chance as a Struff volley landed in the net.
While walking through the tunnel out of Rod Laver Arena after the match, Djokovic messed around with the cameraman, speeding up his pace to force him to walk backwards faster. Further proof that Djokovic plans on sticking to his New Year’s resolution.