Tennis icon John McEnroe was left in disbelief by Novak Djokovic’s level in the first set of his Wimbledon encounter with Alex de Minaur.
In his fourth round clash with 11th seed de Minaur, a badly out-of-sorts Djokovic lost the first set 6-1 in just 31 minutes.
Djokovic, the current world No 6, hit twice as many unforced errors as winners in the set: 16 to eight.
The 38-year-old Serbian landed only 48% of his first serves and won just two of 11 second serve points as he hit four double faults.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion was broken three times — in the first, fifth and seventh games of the match — while he was unable to convert the single break point he had on de Minaur’s serve in the second game.
Statistically, it was not a vintage set from de Minaur either, with the 26-year-old Aussie making only 40% of his first serves and registering four winners to five unforced errors.
Commentating on the match for the BBC, McEnroe asserted that Djokovic was “disgusted with himself” and claimed the24-time Grand Slam winner would retire if he continued to play at this level.
“It is hard to believe we are watching this right now. De Minaur is making it look easy,” said the seven-time major singles champion.
“I can’t remember him ever play a worse set than this. I mean, it’s literally been years.
“He’s absolutely disgusted with himself. This is pleasantly surprising for De Minaur. He didn’t have to do anything he didn’t want to out there.
“It’s not gonna happen that he continues to play this badly. If he did, for two more sets, he’d quit on the spot.”
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Todd Woodbridge, a nine-time Wimbledon champion in men’s doubles, asked McEnroe: “What do you mean, career wise?”
McEnroe replied: “I would predict [that Djokovic will retire], if he played like this for two more sets.
“I don’t think it’s gonna happen. I don’t think there’s a prayer that it’s going to happen. But this is incredible to see him play like this.
“You know, he’s won… Look, let’s hang on here a second. That’s why they have best of five.
“Roger Federer took the shades off ’cause he can’t believe… He was like, ‘Wait a minute, I can’t believe what I’m watching here. Where was this when I played him in the three finals?’”
After Djokovic broke de Minaur in the first game of the second set, McEnroe said: “I would have bet most of my life savings on Novak getting that first break in the second set.
“It is nice to see someone use the court coverage and their speed as Alex De Minaur did in that game. He has put that one-handed slice to good effect early.
During a marathon second game of set two where de Minaur broke back, the American added: “Djokovic seems to be having trouble with the low ball here in the first 40 minutes or so.
“His serve percentage has been poor at only 54% so far. That is pretty unheard of for him.
“The crowd are a bit stunned at what they are seeing so far.”
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