Novak Djokovic played his only grass-court warmup match ahead of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at the Hurlingham Club in London.
Tennis365 watched from courtside as Djokovic was beaten 7-6(4), 6-4 by Khachanov in a serve-dominated contest at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic exhibition event on Friday.
In the opening set, Djokovic was unable to convert a set point when leading 5-4, 40-30 on the 29-year-old Russian’s serve before he conceded the only mini-break to lose the tiebreak.
First-strike tennis remained the theme in the second set, although Djokovic had four opportunities to break the world No 19 in a 17-point fifth game.
Khachanov, though, held firm and sealed the win with as he broke Djokovic to love in the 10th game of set two — the only service break of the match.
Few conclusions can be drawn from exhibition matches, but Djokovic looked sharp as he served big and showed some fine touch in his frequent ventures to the net.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner made some surprising backhand errors on decisive points, while Khachanov’s serving was simply too good at times.
Despite failing to force a match tiebreak, the legendary Serb still managed to delight the Hurlingham crowd with some flashes of genius, including one mesmerising forehand winner down the line that drew widespread gasps.
Djokovic has not played an official match since his French Open semi-final defeat to world No 1 Jannik Sinner. The tennis icon has played a competitive grass-court ATP Tour event prior to Wimbledon just twice since 2010 — a strategy which has proved hugely successful.
Speaking at Hurlingham, Djokovic said: “[It’s] good to be back on grass. Obviously had a thrilling journey on this surface, particularly at Wimbledon.
“This place offers good preparation for me ahead of Wimbledon and it was great to share the court with my friend Khachanov. He’s always in good form, but with his looks not with his tennis (laughs).”
Asked what he has been doing since the French Open, Djokovic said: “Plenty of things happening in the private life with two kids, but I try to balance it with the professional life.
“I still thrive to be on the court and on the tour, winning competitions. Wimbledon has always been a childhood dream tournament for me, more than any other place, so it’s a huge honour to participate in another Wimbledon addition like this one against one of the youngsters Khachanov.
“The youngsters are coming up in the new generation. They’re exciting and bringing a lot of energy to the court. You saw the Roland Garros final, that was definitely one of the best matches that we’ve seen in decades and tennis is in good hands.”
On whether he is excited for Wimbledon, Djokovic replied: “Of course. Yesterday I was playing with Carlos [Alcaraz] at Wimbledon, which is a traditional change in the last few years where you get to hit a few balls on the Centre Court, which is a huge privilege to be on the virgin fresh grass.
“It is definitely the most special tennis court in the world, the Wimbledon Centre Court is like a cradle, it’s something sacred for us all and inspires you to come out and be at your best. I can’t find a more motivating tournament than Wimbledon.”
Djokovic will face world No 40 Alexandre Muller in his opening match at Wimbledon, where he will seek a record-equalling eighth title.
