RETURN OF THE KINGS
Tennis royalty back on Centre Court on Manic Monday.. and no need for a reminder about crowd behaviour after the jeering of Djokovic
ORDER will be restored on Centre Court today with the regal Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal back in action on Manic Monday.
But Novak Djokovic’s return to his warrior best to see off Kyle Edmund and a hostile crowd amid Saturday night fever showed he has returned as a Grand Slam contender.
The All England Club claimed there was no need to remind fans of the standard of expected behaviour after the three-time Wimbledon champion was booed during his win over the British No.1.
The atmosphere even helped Djokovic as he revelled in the role of pantomime villain.
And Centre Court promises to be more respectful today for the permanently popular Federer and Nadal.
The top two seeds have yet to drop a set between them as they remain on collision course for a rematch of their classic 2008 Wimbledon final.
“If I am in the final, I prefer to face an easier opponent,” Nadal said. “I am not stupid. But if I am in the final, it will be great news. Any opponent will be difficult, of course.”
To get to the final, Nadal is looking increasing likely to face Djokovic in the last four.
The Serbian won his 12th Grand Slam title while completing his career Grand Slam at the 2016 French Open, but has since struggled with injury and motivation.
He is now pain free after elbow surgery and seeking to reach his 44th Major quarterfinal against Russia’s Karen Khachanov.
“I do feel like I am very close to the level of tennis that I would like to play,” he said.
After slamming the “unfair” Centre Court crowd, Djokovic offered an olive branch before playing on Court One by offering congratulations for an English success in Russia.
“Everybody is singing, ‘It’s coming home, it’s coming home’,” he said. “Well done to England – I was glad that everyone was smiling.”
Federer is feared yet revered by even his opponents. World No.26 Adrian Mannarino of France, who faces the defending champion today, said: “Federer is definitely an artist, when you see him play and do everything so well.
“If he is Picasso, maybe I am an artist too – but one that is a lot less well known!
“I can’t compare myself to his style, that would just be arrogant. I have played Federer in the US Open, in his home town of Basel and here before – he is popular everywhere.
“So it doesn’t matter where you play him, I won’t be the one the crowd is cheering so I’m not worried about that.”