Novak Djokovic expressed frustration following his intense second-round victory at Wimbledon, where the seven-time champion overcame qualifier Roman Safiullin in four sets, 7-6(6), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3. The match, played on Centre Court, was marked by moments of volatility from the 39-year-old Serbian, who admitted he was “not proud” of his on-court outbursts.
Djokovic’s frustration boiled over early in the third set after Safiullin broke his serve to go up 2-0. He erupted with a string of expletives in Serbian, leading German umpire Timo Janzen to issue a code violation. The tension escalated moments later when Safiullin unleashed a powerful forehand that broke Djokovic’s serve again, prompting Djokovic to throw a loose ball aggressively, an action that drew boos from the crowd.
Reflecting on his conduct, Djokovic acknowledged that such emotional reactions are not something he seeks. “Sometimes it helps to kind of just filter things that are building inside,” he said. “It’s not something I’m proud of when I get warning or something like that, I have a meltdown. It’s not something I’m looking for. But when it happens, it happens.” He added that he tries to move past these moments quickly and focus on the next point.
Safiullin, ranked No. 135 in the world, missed several chances to make the match more competitive, converting just four of his 14 break points. Djokovic’s experience and composure proved decisive in crucial moments, notably in a long and closely contested first-set tiebreak that lasted 62 minutes. The Serbian saved two set points with aces, showcasing his clutch play under pressure.
The second and fourth sets saw Djokovic regain control, although the 24-time Grand Slam winner indicated he was not at his best physically. He also encountered a moment of distraction when a spectator shouted as he prepared for a net smash, a rare break in concentration during the match.
“I haven’t felt really great on the court, so I was just relieved to get out of it and get a win,” Djokovic said after the match. “Satisfaction and enjoyment was not part of today’s win. Of course, I’m relieved and happy to win it but I haven’t enjoyed it. Hopefully the next match will be better in that sense.”
Djokovic’s victory moves him into the third round, where he will look to improve on his performance and regain the composure that has defined much of his illustrious career.