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Alex de Minaur Picks Two Attributes Behind Novak Djokovic’s Dominance on Grass Courts

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Fahad Hamid | Last updated Jul 7, 2025 5:33 PM ET

Alex de Minaur has given fair share of credit to Novak Djokovic for his incredible dominance on the grass courts. The Australian lost to the Serb in four sets 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to exit in the fourth round of Wimbledon.

After the match, De Minaur highlighted two key aspects that make Djokovic a huge threat on the grass. He claimed that his serve and return makes him tricky to play on this surface. He was saying as reported by Punto de Break.

I would say it’s a combination of his serve and return. When needed, he elevated his serving level. I felt I was dominating the games easily, and there came a point where I had no chance with my second serves. He has it all in his game, but I would highlight his serve and return above everything else.

The fourth round between De Minaur and Djokovic was said to be the most anticipated fourth round fixture of the men’s draw. Initially, it looked like the Australian may have a glorious chance to send Djokovic into the river of upsets that have headlined SW19 this year. However, the former World No.1 was not to be denied as he came roaring back.

Meanwhile, De Minaur continues to carry the Australian flag in men’s tennis. The last Australian to win a Grand Slam title was Lleyton Hewitt, when he won Wimbledon in 2002.

Novak Djokovic secures comeback win at Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic fought back from a slow start on Monday to secure a four-set win over Alex de Minaur at Wimbledon. The Serbian lost the opening set but raised his level to prevail 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. With this win, he reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the 16th time in his career.

De Minaur had to withdraw from their scheduled quarter-final meeting last year due to a hip injury. This time, the Australian entered the fourth round having dropped just one set all tournament. He came out strong, dominating the first set and creating break chances in the second, but was unable to convert them.

Djokovic stayed calm under pressure, holding serve at 4-5 in the second set and then gaining momentum. He improved his consistency from the baseline and forced De Minaur to run across the court. The 26-year-old led 4-1 in the fourth set but couldn’t maintain his advantage as Djokovic turned the match around.

Next, Djokovic will face Flavio Cobolli, who reached his first Wimbledon quarter-final by defeating Marin Cilic. De Minaur was chasing his sixth Grand Slam quarter-final, but his efforts fell short despite showing quick movement and solid ball-striking. Djokovic has now beaten him three times in four meetings.

Novak Djokovic makes further history at Wimbledon

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are widely regarded as two of the greatest players in Wimbledon’s history. Together, they have secured 15 men’s singles titles at the All England Club. As expected, they also hold the record for the most quarter-final appearances in the Open Era at this prestigious event.

Only five players have reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals ten or more times. Andy Murray, a two-time champion, made ten consecutive quarter-final appearances from 2009 to 2017, missing 2018 due to injury. Boris Becker reached 11 quarter-finals, including eight in a row between 1988 and 1995, with his final run to the last eight coming in 1997.

Jimmy Connors, a Wimbledon champion in the 1970s and 1980s, reached 14 quarter-finals. He made the last eight in his debut year, 1972, and followed with 11 consecutive appearances until 1983. He later added more deep runs, taking his total to 14 by the end of his career.

Djokovic has now reached 16 Wimbledon quarter-finals, including a dominant stretch from 2009 to 2015 and another consistent run from 2017 to 2025. Federer tops the list with 18 appearances, starting in 2001 when he famously defeated Pete Sampras. Federer went on to reach ten consecutive quarter-finals from 2003 to 2012 and added seven more in his final years at SW19.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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