Novak Djokovic recalls his first Davis Cup match

Novak Djokovic is leading Serbia at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, seeking his country’s second Davis Cup crown. Novak recalled his first Davis Cup match almost two decades ago, debuting for his country in April 2004 at 16.

A teenager got a chance in the Davis Cup Group II tie between Serbia & Montenegro and Latvia. It was Djokovic’s first ATP match, facing world no. 1340 Janis Skroderis and earning a rock-solid 6-2, 6-2 victory in a dead-rubber clash.

The young Serb delivered multiple breaks in each set, controlling the pace and moving over the top in style. Djokovic has won the previous 21 Davis Cup singles matches, experiencing the most recent loss in the 2011 Davis Cup against Juan Martin del Potro when he retired due to an injury.

Novak has been victorious since, setting his eyes on the second Davis Cup trophy this year. Serbia passed the round-robin stage in Valencia, securing a place among eight countries battling for the title in Malaga. Serbia met Great Britain in the quarter-final and scored two singles victories for a place in the last four.

Djokovic’s 44th Davis Cup win came against Cameron Norrie, toppling his rival 6-4, 6-4 in an hour and 41 minutes. Novak served well, losing eight points in his games and keeping the pressure on Cameron. The Briton defended ten break points but lost serve once in each set to push world no.

1 over the top.

Novak Djokovic played his first Davis Cup match in 2004.

Djokovic created two break chances in the opener’s fifth game and converted the second with a volley winner. Norrie saved four break points in the seventh game, remaining within one break deficit before Djokovic wrapped up the set with a volley winner in game ten for 6-4 after 47 minutes.

Norrie sprayed a forehand error at the beginning of the second set, getting broken and drifting further away from the positive result. Novak wasted five break chances in the fifth game, missing an opportunity to move further in front but serving well and sealing the deal with an ace at 5-4.

“I remember we played in Belgrade. It was in the second Euro/African Group zone, whatever it was called at the time. It was a huge honor. I was very young. I got an invite from the captain to be part of the team.
So, the Davis Cup has been historically the most important team competition for nations in tennis.

You know, over a hundred years old. It’s the most important one to win for any tennis nation. Hopefully, we can have a chance to win it this year,” Novak Djokovic said.