“It’s always a good feeling at the start of a tournament, so we’ll see how I go,” he said.
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“Today’s performance was definitely great – I can’t complain about anything. I served very well. It’s always a challenge to kick off a tournament on the right note and send the right signals not only to yourself but to all the opponents who are watching you play.”
“Now I have a few days without a match to recover my body and get in shape for the next challenge.
That challenge will be Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli, whose reward for a five-set victory over France’s Terence Atman is a date with Djokovic on Center Court.
Hopefully, Maestrelli wasn’t looking as Djokovic’s grin spread across his face after he leapt into the air and hit an obscene 176km/h forehand winner in the third set, sending his Head racket rocketing away. The crowd erupted and John Millman delivered a dignified commentary – “Air Novak” – befitting the moment.
Afterwards, Djokovic said the first thought that came to his mind was France’s Gael Monfils with a human highlight reel, known for his athleticism and bold shooting.
“I haven’t hit many in my career – but Gael has,” he said. “We’ve seen him so many times in the lead roles. When I did that, he was the first thing that crossed my mind. I was like, ‘Now I know how he feels.’
It was and the highlight of the night intertwined with them, almost entirely from Djokovic’s blade.
A set earlier, the king of Melbourne Park ripped a crosscourt forehand winner at 151km/h over a hapless Martinez at the net. He consistently outplayed the Spaniard with his forehand speed throughout the lopsided contest.
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Djokovic hit a total of 49 winners to Martinez’s modest 14, but the difference was 16-3 on forehands.
That wild forehand came up just a few points after Djokovic kicked a low backhand, then backed up and slid into a forehand that he narrowly missed. Djokovic’s point loss did not dampen Millman’s enthusiasm: “It’s ridiculous that he’s still moving like that at 38. Are you serious?”
Djokovic, always a showman, provided an exceptional moment in the first set as well.
After the Serb wrapped up a backhand slice, Martinez forced him to sprint across the court to hit another shot – but Djokovic was up for it. A stretched-out Djokovic knew he had to win it all or nothing, so he slapped a forehand that thundered across the court to claim set point.
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The 10-time Australian Open champion pumped his fist, then went again, retired a second time.
This was followed by a clever line from Brenton Speed, commentator on Millman’s Nine: “Use that pose for a statue.”
The comment related to a pre-tournament interview with Djokovic, during which he was asked how he would feel if a statue was erected in his honor at Melbourne Park, something Open boss Craig Tiley said he was open to last year.
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