Fresh from lifting his second career French Open title, Novak Djokovic seemed to be getting into his stride on grass as he opened his Mallorca campaign with a win on Wednesday.

Having chosen to play doubles in the Spanish city, the Serb partnered with Carlos Gomez-Herrera, a doubles specialist from Spain whom he described to the crowd as his friend for over 15 years, to record a nervy win over compatriot Nikola Cacic and his Bosnian partner Tomislav Brkic.

Watch This Link: Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic Give Tennis Lessons to Their Kids Ahead of Wimbledon Championships 2021

Novak Djokovic reveals he lost the only other time he partnered with Gomez-Herrera

Speaking courtside after the win, Djokovic revealed that the only other time he had partnered the Spaniard on the court, the match had ended in defeat.

Saying they had a lot of fun on course to recording their first win as a doubles pair, the Serbian said Gomez-Herrera or ‘Charly’, as he is popularly known in the circuit, has been a “longtime friend” of his and his brother.

Trending

Roger Federer Breaks Partnership With Billion Dollar Worth Italian Brand Days After Coco Gauff’s Stunning Commercial Appearance

April 12, 2024 07:23 PM EDT

Andy Roddick Hat Tips Serena Williams’ Husband Alexis Ohanian with Ultimate Praise for Women’s Sports’ Skyrocketing Success

April 17, 2024 01:14 PM EDT

Tennis News: Rafael Nadal Confirms Retirement ; Doping-Banned Mikael Ymer Announces Comeback; Stefanos Tsitsipas Dubbed as Hypocrite

April 15, 2024 06:22 PM EDT

‘Nobody Cares..’- ‘Jealous’ Coco Gauff Can’t Tolerate People Raving About Coachella as Tennis Duties Take Precedence

April 14, 2024 07:23 PM EDT

Stuttgart Open 2024: Ons Jabeur vs Jasmine Paolini; Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction

April 18, 2024 06:35 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

“Well, we had a lot of fun on the court, I must say. Charly is a longtime friend of me and my brother as well. We’ve known each other (for) almost 15 years,” Djokovic said.

He added that though it was a very close affair, the spontaneous support from the crowd eventually carried them to a win. “We played only once together, and we lost that only match. This was very, very close, but (it was an) amazing experience. I had a lot of fun. I want to thank the crowd for supporting (us). Was an amazing, amazing atmosphere,” the current World No. 1 in singles said.

The Serbian-Bosnian pair took the opening set 7-5 before Djokovic and his Spanish friend fought back to win the second 6-4. The deciding set went down to the wire before the reigning Australian Open singles champion and his Spanish partner prevailed 13-11.

Djokovic is in sight of a Golden Slam this year

Having already lifted the crown at Melbourne Park and Roland-Garros, the Serb has a Golden Slam – winning all four Grand Slams and the individual Olympics gold – in his sights this year.

Though he has been the dominant force in men’s tennis for the last decade and more, an Olympics gold in singles has eluded him. He would like to set the record straight at the Tokyo Games this year.

Djokovic would go into this year’s Wimbledon Championships as the defending champion.

WATCH: Novak Djokovic Yet Again Engages in an Amusing Commercial