Wimbledon top seed, Novak Djokovic arrived at The Boodles in a HR Owen silver Bentley with intent on playing his first match on grass this year against the Dutchman, Robin Haase. However following some sponsor commitments on site, after some consideration the world number two decided, as a precaution, not to play the match.
Djokovic has had a slight niggling wrist injury since Monte Carlo, which forced him to pull out of the ATP Masters tournament in Madrid. He recovered to play Roland Garras but said that whilst there is nothing to worry about he felt the best decision was to take the precaution not to play and chose to give the wrist a rest before The Championships start on Monday.
Before he left, Djokovic praised the facilities at The Boodles – a tournament he knows well.
STOKE POGES, ENGLAND – JUNE 19: Novak Djokovic of Serbia arrives ahead of day 3 of The Boodles Tennis Event at Stoke Park on June 17, 2014 in Stoke Poges, England.
Novak Djokovic
“I am always glad to be back at The Boodles and Stoke Park, the place where I love to play and love to perform. It combines tennis with entertainment and fun. I’m looking forward to playing well at Wimbledon.”
Robin Haase (NED) d John Isner (USA) 6-4,7-6 in 1 hour and 15 minutes
Ernests Gulbis (LAT) d Fabio Fognini (ITA) 7-5,6-3 in 1 hour and 3 minutes
STOKE POGES, ENGLAND – JUNE 19: Ernests Gulbis of Latvia plays a forehand against Fabio Fognini of Italy during day 3 of The Boodles Tennis Event at Stoke Park on June 17, 2014 in Stoke Poges, England.
Ernests Gulbis
“I’m in a hurry I need to watch the football. I’m feeling good, really good, I started slow but I finished fast.”
Jack Sock (USA) d Dominic Thiem (AUT) 61 76 10-7
Jack Sock
“I’m beginning to like the grass. I guess last year was my first time ever playing on grass so still a little new to it but definitely liking it.” He played tennis & golf @stoke park.
Dominic Thiem
“It’s been very good preparation for Wimbledon and I’m happy that I had two good practices in a match situation. I lost two times so I’m hoping I can win the first time in Wimbledon next week. This is my first year on grass, I like it but still a lot to improve because I’m still very inexperienced on it, but I like it, it’s a nice surface so I think if I have some more matches it will be also better.”
Order of Play – Friday 20 June
2.30pm Start of play
Marin Cilic (CRO) v Fabio Fognini (ITA)
Followed by
Philipp Kohlscreiber (GER) v John Isner (USA)
Followed by but (not before 5pm)
Jerzy Janowicz (POL) v Jack Sock (USA)
For more information on The Boodles, please visit www.theboodles.com
For information on tickets for The Boodles 2014 – click here
Topics: Dominic Thiem, Ernests Gulbis, Fabio Fognini, jack sock, John Isner, Novak Djokovic, Robin Haase, stoke park, Tennis, Tennis News, The Boodles
THE BOODLES – RESULTS & PLAYER QUOTES & NOVAK DJOKOVIC SHOWS UP IN STYLE BUT DOESN’T PLAY – http://t.co/LPzw73vuR4 @TheBoodles @DjokerNole