Watching Djokovic Hit His Century Made Me Feel Ancient

By Lewis Barnett 6 July, 2025 5 mins read 22 Views

God, I feel old.

Sitting there on Saturday watching Novak Djokovic casually demolish Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 to notch his 100th Wimbledon victory... it hit me like a brick wall. This guy is 38 years old and still making tennis look like a video game on easy mode. Meanwhile, I pulled something in my back yesterday reaching for the remote.

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The Numbers Don't Lie (Unfortunately for My Ego)

Here's the thing that's absolutely bonkers: Djokovic just became only the third player in Wimbledon history to hit 100 wins. The other two? Roger Federer and Martina Navratilova. That's it. That's the entire club.

My buddy texted me during the match: "Dude's been doing this since we were in college." He's not wrong. I remember watching Djokovic's first Wimbledon runs when I was still pretending to study for finals and living off ramen noodles.

If he wins this whole thing (his eighth title), he'll have 104 Wimbledon victories. That puts him just one behind Federer's record. One. The audacity of this man never ceases to amaze me.

Poor Kecmanovic Never Stood a Chance

Look, I felt bad for Miomir Kecmanovic. Really bad. The guy's ranked 49th in the world - no slouch by any measure - and he got absolutely steamrolled in that second set. 6-0. A bagel. On Centre Court. Against his own countryman and former Davis Cup teammate.

That first set was actually competitive. Both Serbs were trading these insane baseline rallies that had me holding my breath. Kecmanovic was hanging tough, making Djokovic work for every point. Then something clicked for Novak in the second set and it was like watching a master class in "how to destroy someone's soul in 20 minutes."

The handshake at the net afterwards looked genuinely warm though. Kecmanovic probably knew exactly what he was walking into.

17 Times in the Second Week... What Even Is That?

This is Djokovic's 17th time reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon. Seventeen! The only person who's done it more is Federer (18 times), and honestly, that record's probably getting broken on Monday.

Speaking of Monday - Djokovic faces Alex de Minaur next. You know, Katie Boulter's fiancé? That's gonna be awkward dinner conversation if things go badly for the Aussie. "Hey honey, how was your day?" "Well, your compatriot's tennis legend just ended my Wimbledon dreams in straight sets..."

The Chase for 25

Here's what's really wild: Djokovic is chasing his 25th Grand Slam title. Twenty-five. I can barely commit to a Netflix series for 25 episodes, and this guy's been collecting tennis trophies for decades.

He's reached the past six Wimbledon finals. Six straight years of making it to Championship Sunday. The consistency is almost boring at this point... except it's not boring at all because we're watching history unfold in real time.

My dad called me after the match and said, "You realize we might never see another player like this again, right?" He's probably right. The longevity, the mental toughness, the sheer refusal to age like a normal human being - it's all pretty extraordinary.

Now excuse me while I go ice my back and contemplate my life choices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the daily training regimen of a top player in tennis?

The daily training regimen of a top tennis player is both rigorous and meticulously structured. The daily training regimen of a top tennis player is rigorous and meticulously structured. It includes many hours spent on the court, with a focus on technical drills. Players also participate in training sessions that are designed to improve strength, endurance, and agility. These sessions are complemented with flexibility and recovery exercises, such as massages, stretching, or physiotherapy. Proper nutrition and psychological coaching are also integral components, ensuring athletes maintain peak performance both physically and mentally.

How important is it for you to compete at junior tournaments if you want a career as a professional tennis player?

The junior tennis tournament is an important step towards a professional career in tennis. These tournaments are a great way for young athletes to gain experience playing against others, test their skills, and develop the necessary mental strength to play competitively. These junior tournaments serve as a springboard to higher-level events and can impact a young athlete's ranking and visibility among coaches and sponsors.

How important are mental and psychological factors in tennis training for you?

Tennis players must be mentally and psychologically fit. The player must be able to control stress, maintain concentration, and manage the emotional highs, and lows, of competition. Many players use techniques such as mental rehearsals, visualization and goal-setting. A sports psychologist can assist players in building resilience, developing coping strategies to deal with pressure, and elevating their mental game so that it matches their physical prowess.

How does a tennis player manage school and training?

Balance between academic obligations and intensive training schedules can be difficult for aspiring players. The ability to manage time, prioritize, and create a schedule that works for you is essential. Online schooling and flexible academic programs can help accommodate the demanding training and travel schedule of young athletes. Support from parents, coaches and educational establishments is essential to ensure that players can achieve their goals while maintaining their education.

What kind of support team does a top tennis player need?

To be able to compete on the highest levels, top tennis players require a team of support. The team will typically include a head trainer to oversee the training and technical development of the player, a fitness coach for physical conditioning and injury prevention, a medical professional or physiotherapist for injury management and prevention, a sports psychology specialist for mental coaching and a nutritionist for diet advice. A hitting partner, a manager or agent, and sometimes a stringer can also be part of the team, ensuring the player can solely focus on their game.

Statistics

Approximately 70% of a professional tennis player's training time is devoted to developing technique and on-court strategies.
Top tennis players typically train for 4 to 6 hours per day, divided between on-court practice and fitness training.
Statistical trends indicate that top tennis players usually have at least 5 people in their support team, including coaches, fitness trainers, and physiotherapists.
Nutritionists report that a tennis player's diet should consist of about 55-60% carbohydrates, 15-20% protein, and 20-25% fats during intense training periods.
Engaging in structured video analysis sessions has been shown to improve a player's tactical decision-making by approximately 35%.

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How To

How to increase endurance for long tennis games

For long tennis games, both aerobic and aerobic exercise is required. Improve your aerobic capacity by adding longer, moderately intense cardio workouts to your routine. Add high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to your routine to increase anaerobic threshold. On the court simulate match conditions with extended baseline rallys and by playing practice matches that emphasize consistency and prolonged points. Include core exercises, since a strong core is essential for endurance on the court. To maintain high levels, you should also pay attention to nutrition and adequate recovery.