Novak Djokovic has warned that Rafael Nadal’s humiliating Wimbledon defeat to Czech world 100 Lukas Rosol should be a wake-up call for the game’s superstars.
The world’s top three men – Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer – have won 31 of the last 34 Grand Slam titles, a streak stretching back over seven years.
But Nadal’s shock second round 6-7 (9-11) 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 defeat to journeyman Rosol was the Spaniard’s worst performance at a major since losing to Gilles Muller of Luxembourg at the same stage of Wimbledon in 2005.
“You cannot take anybody for granted,” said defending champion Djokovic.
“You can’t underestimate any opponent. I don’t think Rafa did, he’s well aware of the quality of all the players on the tour.
“But it’s a Grand Slam. It’s Wimbledon. Everybody wants to come up with their best game, especially when you’re playing one of the top players.
“It can serve as an example for everybody that anything is possible in this sport. Even though myself, Rafa, Roger, Murray, we’ve been dominant in Grand Slams, and it’s expected of us to reach the last four.
“But tennis is improving. Everybody plays equally well.”
Djokovic had a minor scare against another Czech on Friday in a third round match played, like Nadal’s, under the Centre Court roof.
The top seed dropped the first set against 33-year-old Radek Stepanek before easing to a 4-6 6-2 6-2 6-2 win.
He goes on to play compatriot Victor Troicki, who put out Argentine 15th seed Juan Monaco 7-5 7-5 6-3, for a place in the quarter-finals. Troicki will be playing in his first last 16 tie at Wimbledon.
Friday’s match was the second successive match under the roof for Djokovic after his second round win against American Ryan Harrison.
“Today we got to the court, they closed the roof, and then we saw sunshine and clear blue sky. I thought I played well under these conditions.”
Djokovic found wily Stepanek, a quarter-finalist in 2006, hard to read in the first set as the Czech kept the champion pinned back by serving and volleying, almost an extinct technique on the slowing All England Club lawns.
But he won 18 of the next 24 games to storm to victory, taking another step closer to a sixth career Grand Slam title.
