Novak Djokovic is one of, if not the greatest tennis player of all time.
However, even legends have to start from somewhere, and his beginnings on the tennis tour were far from easy.
Everybody knows the hugely inspiring story of the 39-year-old who emerged from war-torn Serbia to become the man he is today, but it’s also worth remembering the battles he overcame once he had emerged, but had not yet become a problem.
After all, frequent retirements and explosive outbursts became the norm for the former world number one, unable to make that next step to become a true contender.
His journey as a professional player started all the way back in 2003, and he was gifted his first appearance at Wimbledon just two years later.
When was Novak Djokovic’s first-ever Wimbledon appearance?
2005 was a landmark year for Novak Djokovic, who made a main draw appearance in every single Grand Slam throughout the year.
And whilst he has gone on to become the greatest champion in the history of the Australian Open, the relationship he shares with Wimbledon feels perhaps even more special.
Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
A seven-time winner at the All-England Club, he has since been heralded as a hero after years where he was perhaps lambasted for that aforementioned temper.
For a first-timer though, back 20 years ago now, Djokovic actually impressed.
In the first round, he swept aside the Argentine Juan Mónaco in straight sets, before he fell into a two sets to love deficit in the second round against Guillermo García López.
But, offering a glimpse of that undying spirit that he would later become famed for, the 24-time Grand Slam champion would turn it around to win in five sets.
It could be argued that such a monumental effort had taken it out of him, as the teenager was then defeated in four tough sets by the ninth seed Sébastien Grosjean.
How good was Sebastien Grosjean?
Although Grosjean may not have cemented his spot in history with any Grand Slam titles, the Frenchman still enjoyed an impressive career laden with strong runs.
And, at the very least, he is the only person in the world who can say that he gave Djokovic, who later became a seven-time Champion at the event, his first Wimbledon loss.
The pinnacle of Grosjean’s career came in Paris where he won the Masters 1000 event, but he also made runs to the semi-finals of the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon twice.
Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP via Getty Images
He was a truly competent player, and would translate his skills into coaching upon retirement.
Ironically, the 47-year-old has more recently taken up a part-time position assisting Nick Kyrgios in his comeback this year, having enjoyed spells with Richard Gasquet and Arthur Fils.
Given that Kyrgios’ relationship with Djokovic seems to be one of great friendship nowadays, Grosjean adding another link between them is an interesting twist of fate.