Novak Djokovic's rivals play down defending champion's early Wimbledon exit

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Djokovic's Wimbledon exit was completely unexpected.

    Novak Djokovic’s exit at the hands of Sam Querrey has opened the door for many players, whose chances of winning the title just got higher in the Serbian’s absence, although not everyone is willing to admit it.

    The winner of the last four consecutive majors and six of the last eight, Djokovic has been the man to beat at the grand slams – along with every other tournament – and not having him around will surely have an effect on the rest of the field’s psyche.

    “I think for most of us it’s somebody different who’ll will win a grand slam, but that’s it,” said Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who has lost to Djokovic five times in six meetings at the majors.

    Andy Murray, who was defeated by Djokovic in their last five consecutive grand slam showdowns, doesn’t feel the 29-year-old’s exit has much bearing on his chances, at least for now.Djokovic-Tennis-Wimbledon-Querrey

    “It doesn’t because if I was to reach the final, then it may have some bearing really, but it doesn’t right now. My draw’s still exactly the same. The matches, in the next round especially, are tough,” said the No2 seed, who faces Nick Kyrios in the last 16.

    No7 seed Richard Gasquet follows a similar logic. The Frenchman is in Murray’s section, in the bottom half of the draw and is keeping his eyes firmly set on the immediate task in hand.

    “I think it’s a big surprise that he lost, of course. I think he was a bit tired after Paris mentally. I think it was tough for him,” said Gasquet.

    “But for me, the door is not so open because I have Murray on my side. Jo Tsonga is there. Many players are on my side. But for sure for further up, I think for Querrey, maybe for (Milos) Raonic, guys like (David) Goffin, they can go to semis. So of course it’s another draw that’s hard, but for me it doesn’t change.”

    No6 seed Raonic was slated to potentially face Djokovic in the quarter-finals and is definitely one of the real favourites in the top half of the draw, that also includes seven-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer.

    Asked what his reaction was to Djokovic’s defeat, the Canadian said: “Nothing really changed. It was obviously a surprise. You know where you stand with that, so you push a little harder.”

    Kyrgios, seeded 15 at Wimbledon and eyeing a big upset over Murray, was more forthcoming in his views on the impact of having no Djokovic in the draw anymore.

    “I think as soon as Novak loses, you look at Andy and you look at Federer’s eyes light up. They think that their chances probably doubled,” said the 21-year-old Aussie.

    “I think a lot of people in the locker room now believe they can win it. If the stars align and they’re playing well, there’s a lot of people that can go get it.”

    He includes himself in that list.

    Querrey, who faces Nicolas Mahut in the last 16, is not getting too carried away with regards to his enormous feat.

    The No28 seed calls his victory over Djokovic “not career‑defining, but it’s really exciting. It’s something that I’ll always get to have, which is great”.

    Querrey added: “I think it gives guys belief. I’m not the first guy to beat those guys. Half the locker room has a win over the four of them at some point.

    “I think on a short‑term basis, for Stevie (Johnson) going out against Roger (Federer) on Monday, yeah, I think maybe it can help give him a little belief that, hey, if Sam did it, maybe I can go out there and do it.”

    Feliciano Lopez, who lost to Kyrgios, believes Murray now has the biggest chance of capturing the title.

    “The person with a real opportunity is Andy, to win another grand slam,” said the Spaniard. “Federer has one too but he has barely competed this year, he’s played like two or three tournaments. Obviously with all his history and the career he has and the number of Wimbledons he has won, you can think he will win another grand slam but since the Australian Open he practically hasn’t competed.

    “So that’s why I believe Andy has a real opportunity.”

    Recommended