The 2024 Wimbledon Championship has started with high drama and intense action at the All England Tennis Club. As the tournament progresses into its early rounds, fans have already witnessed some surprising and emotional moments. Notably, Andy Murray's withdrawal due to a back injury has been a significant setback, while Novak Djokovic has made a powerful statement with his dominant performance.
Novak Djokovic: A Dominant Start
Novak Djokovic eased concerns over his knee with a clinical performance in the first round of Wimbledon 2024. Four weeks after undergoing minor knee surgery, the World No. 2 defeated World No. 123 Vit Kopriva 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 in an hour and 58 minutes at the Center Court. Djokovic was moving freely on the court even though he was wearing a brace on his knee on Tuesday, July 2 in London.
Djokovic focused on the game and not on his knee during the first-round match. The Serb's clinical show was an early marker and a message to the competitors in Wimbledon. Having not won a title yet on the tour, Djokovic looked like he was ready to play without any pressure. The 24-time Grand Slam champion did not put a foot wrong during the first-round match.
Djokovic broke in the sixth game of the opening set and breezed through it. The Serb piled up pressure early on Vit Kopriva in the second set and let out a huge roar after a 21-shot rally went his way. Djokovic grabbed another break after the rally and dominated the second set. Vit Kopriva came out swinging in the third set, but Djokovic was at his very best to fend off the threat and complete a straight-set victory.
Djokovic, who is bidding to win his eighth Wimbledon crown, will next face the winner of a first-round match between qualifier Alejandro Moro Canas and local wildcard Jacob Fearnley.
Andy Murray: An Emotional Exit
Twice Wimbledon champion Andy Murray pulled out of the singles competition in what will be his final Wimbledon, the 37-year-old's management team said on Tuesday. Murray underwent surgery recently to remove a spinal cyst which was compressing his nerves and made him lose control and power in his right leg.
"Unfortunately, despite working incredibly hard on his recovery since his operation just over a week ago, Andy has taken the very difficult decision not to play the singles this year," Murray's team said.
He was due to face Czech Tomas Machac in the singles on Tuesday. Murray, who in 2013 ended a 77-year wait for a British men's singles champion at Wimbledon and won the title again in 2016, had previously said he was unlikely to continue his career beyond this year and could bow out at the Olympics in Paris. The tennis competition at the Olympics begins on July 27.
Following a victory over Alexei Popyrin at the Queen's Club Championships in his 1,000th tour-level singles match, Murray withdrew due to the injury while trailing 4-1 in the first set of his second-round match against Jordan Thompson.
Other Notable Results
The women's defending champion, Marketa Vondrousova, faced a shocking early exit, losing to Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro in straight sets (6-4, 6-2). This defeat marks the first time in 30 years that a defending women's champion has been eliminated in the first round.
Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek, the women's top seed, advanced to the second round but not without challenges. Swiatek overcame former Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin with a 6-3, 6-4 victory, acknowledging she felt "a bit rusty" but was pleased to move forward.
In men's singles, Russian Andrey Rublev, the highest-seeded player to fall so far, was defeated by Francisco Comesana of Argentina in his Grand Slam debut. However, other top players like Alexander Zverev, Hubert Hurkacz, Elena Rybakina, and Jessica Pegula advanced comfortably, showcasing their prowess and determination early in the tournament.
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