Novak Djokovic Sets His Sights on a 24th Grand Slam Title
Wimbledon 2023 Coverage by BBC
Venue: All England Club Dates: July 3-16
Live coverage: BBC TV, radio, online, BBC iPlayer, Red Button, Connected TVs, and mobile app. More details on coverage can be found here.
Novak Djokovic has called for a re-evaluation of Wimbledon’s start times as he prepares to compete for the third consecutive day.
The defending champion will face Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals on Tuesday after his previous match against Hubert Hurkacz spanned two days.
Matches commence at 13:00 BST on Court One and 13:30 on Centre Court, with a curfew at 23:00 leading to some matches being postponed until the following day.
“I believe matches could begin at 12:00 at the very least,” Djokovic stated, emphasizing the potential impact it could make.
He recounted waiting for seven hours on Sunday for his fourth-round match against Hurkacz to commence due to earlier matches running long. Conversely, on Monday, the preceding match concluded swiftly as Beatriz Haddad Maia retired after just 21 minutes of play against Elena Rybakina, causing Djokovic’s match to resume for the fourth set.
“I think there are various ways to address this issue and prevent such problems in the future,” Djokovic expressed.
On Monday, Sally Bolton, CEO at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, mentioned that considering an earlier start time on Centre Court for next year’s tournament was not guaranteed.
Djokovic expressed his hope for a swift recovery to be in the best possible condition when he faces Russian seventh seed Rublev, who enjoyed a day of rest after a five-set victory in the previous round.
Rublev, aiming for his first Grand Slam semi-final, recognizes Djokovic’s prowess on grass and acknowledges the challenge ahead. Having lost three out of four encounters against the seven-time Wimbledon champion, Rublev appreciates the opportunity to compete.
“Novak is one of the best players on grass, almost unbeatable in recent years. As for me, I have nothing to say except to go there, fight, and give my best,” Rublev remarked.
Safiullin Aims to Extend His Remarkable Run
In another men’s quarter-final on Tuesday, Italian eighth seed Jannik Sinner will face Russian world number 92 Roman Safiullin, who has reached this stage at a Grand Slam for the first time in his career.
Although he missed the opportunity to participate in the qualifying tournament at the previous month’s French Open, Safiullin now has a chance to further change his life. The 25-year-old, without a clothing sponsor and staying at a budget hotel, has secured £340,000 for reaching this stage.
Nevertheless, Safiullin has no plans to switch accommodations, stating, “Why should I change it? It may not be a five-star hotel, but I like the bed.”
Swiatek and Svitolina Set for an Epic Encounter
Two captivating matches at Wimbledon this year took place on Sunday in the women’s fourth round, and the winners will face each other in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.
World number one Iga Swiatek, who saved two match points against Belinda Bencic, will take on Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, who triumphed in a thrilling three-set battle against Victoria Azarenka. Svitolina described it as “the second happiest moment” of her life after giving birth.
Swiatek has been wearing a yellow and blue ribbon on her hat in support of Ukraine amidst the Russian invasion. Svitolina appreciates Swiatek’s solidarity and expressed her gratitude.
“I’m truly grateful for her support of Ukrainians, Ukraine, and for doing everything she can to raise awareness,” Svitolina remarked. The two players have met once before on clay in Rome in 2021, with Swiatek emerging as the victor.
Swiatek is vying for her fifth Grand Slam title, while Svitolina is still chasing her first, having reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2019. Since returning to tennis after her daughter’s birth in October last year, Svitolina has reached the quarter-finals in both of the major tournaments she has participated in.
In the other women’s quarter-final of the day, American fourth seed Jessica Pegula will face the Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova, the runner-up at the 2019 French Open. Both players have dropped only one set on their path to the quarter-finals and are enjoying their best Wimbledon runs to date.
Additionally, British players will compete in the doubles, with Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski aiming to reach the men’s quarter-finals alongside their respective partners, Michael Venus of New Zealand and Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands.
In the mixed doubles, Jonny O’Mara and Olivia Nicholls will face Australian fifth seeds Matthew Ebden and Ellen Perez in the quarter-finals.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Wimbledon 2023
What is the focus of Wimbledon 2023?
The focus of Wimbledon 2023 is on the quarter-finals matches featuring top players like Djokovic, Swiatek, and Svitolina.
Who is Novak Djokovic playing in the quarter-finals?
Novak Djokovic is playing against Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon 2023.
What is Novak Djokovic’s goal at Wimbledon 2023?
Novak Djokovic is aiming to win his record-extending 24th men’s Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon 2023.
Who are the notable players in the women’s quarter-finals?
Iga Swiatek, Elina Svitolina, Jessica Pegula, and Marketa Vondrousova are the notable players in the women’s quarter-finals at Wimbledon 2023.
Who is Roman Safiullin and how is his performance at Wimbledon 2023?
Roman Safiullin is a Russian player who has reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time at Wimbledon 2023. He has been performing impressively despite being ranked 92nd in the world.
Is there any special significance to Iga Swiatek’s hat?
Yes, Iga Swiatek has been wearing a yellow and blue ribbon on her hat in support of Ukraine amidst the Russian invasion. She has shown solidarity and support for the Ukrainian cause.
Which British players are competing in the doubles?
Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski are the British players competing in the doubles at Wimbledon 2023. They are partnering with Michael Venus and Wesley Koolhof, respectively.
Are there any mixed doubles matches scheduled for the quarter-finals?
Yes, Jonny O’Mara and Olivia Nicholls are playing a quarter-final match against Australian fifth seeds Matthew Ebden and Ellen Perez in the mixed doubles category at Wimbledon 2023.
More about Wimbledon 2023
- Wimbledon Official Website
- BBC Sports – Wimbledon
- Novak Djokovic Profile
- Iga Swiatek Profile
- Elina Svitolina Profile
- Roman Safiullin Profile
- Wimbledon News and Updates
6 comments
The women’s quarter-finals at Wimbledon are going to be intense! Swiatek vs. Svitolina is going to be a thrilling match. Can’t wait to see who comes out on top!
Safiullin’s story is so inspiring! From a budget hotel to the quarter-finals of Wimbledon, that’s incredible. Keep chasing your dreams, Roman!
Novak Djokovic going for his 24th grand slam title is insane! He’s such a legend. Hope he wins it all at Wimbledon 2023!
It’s so cool that Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski are representing Britain in the doubles. Let’s cheer them on to reach the quarter-finals! Go Team GB!
Great to see the support and solidarity from Iga Swiatek for Ukraine with the yellow and blue ribbon on her hat. Sports can bring people together. Go Swiatek!
wow wimbledon 2023 sounds so epic! cant wait to see Djokovic, swiatek, and svitolina in action. They rly are the best players!