Wimbledon hero Djokovic vows to keep on the grass
WIMBLEDON champion Novak Djokovic has vowed to reprise his eccentric grass-eating celebration if he ever repeats his breakthrough triumph at the All England Club on Sunday.
Djokovic capped his ascent to world No1, confirmed after Friday’s semi-final win, by beating defending champion Rafael Nadal to claim his first triumph at SW19.
The Serb, who is known on the tour as much for his repertoire of impersonations as his arsenal of shots, celebrated by dropping to the turf, picking up a few blades of grass and eating them.
And the 24-year-old yesterday promised to recreate the moment that delighted and bemused Centre Court if, as he hopes, his maiden Wimbledon triumph turns out to be the first of many.
“I will taste the grass every year I win – it’s going to become a tradition,” he said.
Djokovic’s remarkable 2011 – he was won eight titles and lost just one match – has seen him break the grand slam stranglehold of Nadal and former world No1 Roger Federer.
And while he believes it is too early to talk of an end to that great rivalry, he insists the men’s game is as open as it has been for years – and is tipping Britain’s Andy Murray to profit by winning his first grand slam.
“I’m sure Federer wants to come back and win more majors. Nadal is still on top of his form and Murray in the last three or four months has been a real contender for a Grand Slam title,” he added. “It feels good for the sport to have so many faces.”