Djokovic, Osaka share center stage
Credit to Author: Tempo Online| Date: Mon, 01 Jul 2019 15:00:34 +0000
LONDON (AFP) – Defending champion Novak Djokovic shares center stage on Centre Court with Naomi Osaka on Monday as Wimbledon gets underway.
Top seed and world No. 1 Djokovic is seeking a fifth Wimbledon and 16th major as the Serb attempts to bounce back from his shattering Roland Garros exit.
His five-set semi-final loss to Dominic Thiem ended his hopes of becoming just the second man in history to hold all four majors at the same time on two occasions.
On Monday, he opens proceedings on Center Court against German veteran Philipp Kohlschreiber.
It will be their third meeting in 2019 – 35-year-old Kohlschreiber winning at Indian Wells before Djokovic triumphed at Monte Carlo and Rome.
“I am fine-tuning. I’m working on my movement. I’m working on the right balance on the court, trying to execute the shots, take short balls, come in,” said Djokovic, who was also Wimbledon champion in 2011, 2014 and 2015.
Japanese second seed Osaka, the US and Australian Open winner, lost her world top ranking to Roland Garros champion Ashleigh Barty recently.