Russian has battled through with positivity but will have to dig even deeper against the man who swatted Djokovic aside
In the days before the start of Wimbledon in 2019, 256 men and women spent their week battling in the qualifying tournament held on a humble grassy field in Roehampton. Late into the evening during the opening round, a 17-year-old by the name of Jannik Sinner stepped on to the lawn for his first grand slam qualifier.
For the group of fans and players that stood on the narrow paths each side of the court, it was unforgettable. Sinner spent more than two and a half hours pulverising the ball, winners flying off his racket from all parts of the court as the purity of his ball-striking elicited gasps. But he also provoked a special performance from his journeyman opponent, Alex Bolt of Australia. It was an incredible match and Bolt barely hung on, winning 12-10 in the third set.