Novak Djokovic is hoping for some rain in Paris after sealing his place in the quarter-finals of the Olympic tournament on Wednesday.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion battled to a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Dominik Koepfer of Germany in humid conditions on another hot day in Paris. Djokovic was tested early on by the world No.70 but managed to take control of proceedings by winning five straight games between the first and second sets. Overall, he hit 19 winners and won 86% of his first service points.
“I’m soaking wet,” Djokovic said after his win.
“It’s a very, very humid day, as it was yesterday.
“I just hope it rains so it cools down the temperature a bit and the air. But it is what it is.
“You have to, kind of accept and embrace the conditions. It’s the same for you and your opponent.”
The temperature at Roland Garros are in the low 30’s° but it feels much hotter on the court. Earlier this week, organizers brought into effect the hot weather rule that allows players to take breaks for 10 minutes between the second and third sets.
Hot weather aside, Djokovic is relishing his time at the Olympics as he describes playing at the event as different from playing at the French Open. Even though both tournaments are held at the same venue.
“It’s a great honor to represent my country at the Olympics.” He said.
“We play Roland Garros every year in this stadium, but the crowd, the atmosphere, the colors, everything is different.
“In a good way, of course. Roland Garros’s crowd is also very, knowledgeable about tennis and passionate about tennis.
“But the Olympic crowd is just something different.”
Djokovic, who is one of the most decorated tennis players of all time, is bidding to win his first gold medal in Paris. In the next round, he faces his biggest test yet against Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek beat Argetina’s Sebastian Baez 7-5, 6-1. He currently leads their head-to-head 11-2 and has won all of their 10 most recent meetings.
