This time last month Jacob Fearnley was ranked outside the world’s top 500. On Thursday he will take on seven-time champion Novak Djokovic — and admitted he has ‘no idea’ how to beat him.
The 22-year-old Scot qualified for the Nottingham Open at the start of last month and won it, earning a Wimbledon wildcard. And he made good use of his golden ticket on Tuesday by beating Spaniard Alejandro Moro Canas 7-5, 6-4, 7-6 on his Grand Slam debut.
Djokovic was at the same time eviscerating Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva. ‘I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t watching the scores on Centre Court,’ admitted Fearnley. ‘It was getting in my head a little bit that I was going to have to play him.’
Fearnley played college tennis at Texas Christian University, Cam Norrie’s alma mater, and only graduated in May after winning the national title. His professional career is in its infancy but he has made a fine start.
Asked the question that has plagued the sport for a decade — how does one beat Novak Djokovic? — he replied: ‘I don’t think many people have the answer to that. I have no idea. I’ve watched so many videos of him. It doesn’t look like there’s many flaws in his game.
British wildcard Jacob Fearnley (pictured) will take on Novak Djokovic in the second round at Wimbledon
Djokovic proved once again that he should never be written off after cruising to victory at Centre Court on Monday
He sealed a straight sets victory against Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva during their first round clash in the men’s singles
‘I’m going to just try and enjoy it, put my game out on the court and see what happens. I don’t think there are many tactics going into the match!’
It was for the best that Fearnley was only following the scores rather than watching live, because Djokovic looked ominously good for a man who had meniscus surgery less than a month ago.
In his player’s box was the curious sight of Ronnie O’Sullivan, watching with his daughter. ‘I watch snooker just because of him,’ said Djokovic, 37. ‘I watched when I was a kid. My father loved watching snooker but I only watched Ronnie. We just met for the first time. It was great.
‘It was really nice to have him around. Hopefully we’re able to play some snooker because I’m really bad.’
He may be really bad at snooker but he is really good at tennis and the way he went about compiling this 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 victory, poor Kopriva may as well have been away from the table, sat in his chair sipping Highland Spring and adjusting his waistcoat.
There were certainly a few kinks visible in the Djokovic cueing action. He did not look to be bending his right knee as deep as usual so operated in a more upright position. It was noticeable on the return of serve and backhand, where we are so used to the yogi master playing with his knees scraping the surface of the court.
It comes just 27 days after Djokovic underwent surgery on a torn meniscus, with the world No 2 sporting a gray knee strap on the court
Kopriva (pictured) tested Djokovic throughout the match but couldn’t overcome the seven-time Wimbledon champion
Djokovic (left) stated that he may not have risked playing if he was competing at any other tournament
But he did what he does better than any other player in history — he adapted. He serve-volleyed frequently and attacked on return, keeping points short and sweet. He opened his shoulders on the forehand and struck that shot terrifically well.
Someone with a little more grass-court nous would have exploited Djokovic more but the Serb has been blessed with a dreamy draw — Fearnley is the British No13 for goodness sake — and he should have plenty of time to ease his way into the fortnight.
You can bet those knees will dip lower and lower as an eighth Wimbledon trophy moves closer and closer.