‘If Novak Djokovic plays like that, he can’t lose – he was perfect,’ says Wimbledon opponent

Thanasi Kokkinakis says Novak Djokovic was ‘perfect’ in their Wimbledon match, adding: “If he plays like that, I don’t think he can lose.”

Djokovic was in completely dominant mood against the Australian on Centre Court, needing just two hours to romp to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win.

It was an ominously good level from the six-time champion, and Kokkinakis was best placed to appreciate it.

“If he plays like that, I don’t think he can lose,” Kokkinakis said of Djokovic after the match.

“And I hope he doesn’t [lose], because if there is someone capable of playing better tennis than Novak did today, that leaves me even further from the elite.”

“I hope he played to the maximum, because if he can turn up the intensity even more, I don’t know where that leaves me.

“He just did everything perfect, he guessed all my shots and he was like a wall. Tactically, he ran me over.

“He’s gone over me, it’s like he’s the only one playing today, it was frustrating.

“It had been a long time since I faced someone who could play at this level. I tried to overwhelm with my first shot, but he responded very easily, he forced me to move around the court continuously, it was too good for me.”

Novak Djokovic himself knew he had produced some special tennis, and he says he believed there was still more to come.

“I’m very happy with my performance today,” Djokovic said. “I started very well, solid from the back of the court. [I] made him work for every point and worked him around the court.

“It was not easy to serve because of the wind but I think from my side, high quality performance and I am very pleased.

“I am pleased with the way I’ve raised the level of tennis in the past two days. Obviously just thinking about the next challenge and hope things will get better as the tournament goes on.”