LONDON: Not many players can boast of wins over Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, but British newcomer Jacob Fearnley recorded an impressive double victory and is now bidding for a third victory, this time against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.
As a junior, Fearnley had wins over reigning Wimbledon champion Alcaraz and world number one Sinner.
Since then, their careers have taken radically different directions: Alcaraz and Sinner have won Grand Slams and earned millions of dollars, while Fernley went on to college in the United States.
“I fought Alcaraz when he was probably 14 and I was 17. I fought Sinner when I was probably 15,” Fearnley, 22, said Tuesday.
“Obviously, their improvement in their game is much greater than mine. The way they’re playing is unbelievable.”
“I don’t think you can really get anything out of these wins.”
Fearnley won his first Grand Slam match on debut on Tuesday, which was also his first win on a main tour.
Before beating Spain’s Alejandro Moro Canas 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 (14/12), his only professional match on the ATP Tour was last week in Eastbourne, where he lost in the first round.
But just the week before, he had demonstrated his talent on grass courts by winning the qualifying round at the second-tier Challenger tournament in Nottingham.
“It’s kind of crazy,” said Fernley, ranked 277th in the world.
He was referring to the month he helped Texas Christian University win the U.S. national championship at the end of his five-year collegiate career.
Fearnley has already faced some of Wimbledon’s finest players, having been appointed Roger Federer’s hitting partner at the 2018 tournament.
“It was absolutely fantastic. He’s such a nice guy. Obviously a really special player. I learned a lot from that short training session,” he said.
He now comfortably faces one of the toughest challenges in tennis: beating seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic in the second round on Thursday.
Asked how he planned to pull off a dominant victory over the 24-time Grand Slam champion, Fearnley said: “I have no idea.”
“I’ve watched a lot of tape on him and I don’t see many flaws in his game. I’m just going to have fun and play, show my game on the court and see what happens.”
Djokovic admitted he knew absolutely nothing about Fearnley.
“I’ve never seen him hit, so I have to study him more,” the Serb said.
Djokovic began his quest for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon men’s title on Tuesday with a straight-set victory over Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva in his first match since knee surgery.
Djokovic beat his world number 123 rival on Centre Court 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 in just under two hours.
The 37-year-old did not face a single break point throughout the match and sealed the victory with three aces.
Djokovic, bidding for a record 25th Grand Slam title, was wearing a grey brace on his right knee after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus that forced him to withdraw after the fourth round of last month’s French Open.
“It was very good. I’m very happy with how I moved on court today,” Djokovic said after improving to 19-0 in his opening Wimbledon matches.
“Wimbledon was obviously a bit different for me this year because of my knee.
“I had no idea how it was all going to unfold on the court.
“Practice sessions are completely different to an official match so I’m very happy with how I played and how I felt today.”
Djokovic added that the grey knee brace complied with the All England Club’s strict white equipment rules.
“Of course, I checked a few days ago to see if I had permission. I’m looking for something white, trust me,” he explained.
