No satisfaction or enjoyment as Djokovic relieved after 'ugly' Wimbledon win

Novak Djokovic admitted he felt relieved rather than satisfied after grinding out a tough four-set victory against Roman Safiullin to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals. The Serbian star confessed that the win on Centre Court was "ugly" and that he did not enjoy the experience, despite saving set points and eventually overcoming the world No. 132.

“

To be honest, I haven't felt really great on the court, so I was relieved to get out of it and get a win.

Djokovic struggled to find his rhythm and the level of play he seeks, particularly after a strong second-round performance. He acknowledged the constant pressure exerted by the Russian qualifier, which contributed to his discomfort on court. "Satisfaction and enjoyment weren't part of today's win. Of course, I'm relieved and happy to win it, but I haven't enjoyed it," Djokovic stated in his press conference. He expressed hope for a better performance in his next match.

“

Satisfaction and enjoyment weren't 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.

The victory, his 106th at Wimbledon, allowed Djokovic to surpass Roger Federer's all-time men's match-wins record at the tournament. However, the 39-year-old downplayed the achievement, stating it was not a high priority and he was unaware of it until after the match. His primary focus remains on recovering well for his upcoming clash against either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

“

I struggled to find the game, the desired level I'm looking for, that I had, I think, in the second round ... but a win is a win, even if you win ugly. Hopefully I can build from this.

Djokovic also spoke about the increased demands on his body and the extensive recovery process required in the latter stages of his career. He detailed the various recovery methods he employs, including hyperbaric chambers, cryo chambers, and cold immersions, emphasizing that these are necessary adjustments to his body's changes. Despite the challenges, he remains committed to finding any edge that can aid his performance.

“

A 106th match victory at Wimbledon helped Djokovic surpass Roger Federer in the men's all-time match-wins list but the 39-year-old said achieving that feat had not been high on his list of priorities.