Novak Djokovic started his Wimbledon campaign with a 6-1, 6-7(7), 6-2, 6-2 win in the first round against Alexandre Muller on Tuesday. After losing the second set against the Frenchman, the Serbian revealed he wasn’t feeling comfortable on the court because of stomach woes.

However, after receiving miracle pills from a doctor, the 24-time Slam champion looked more assured. The 38-year-old Serbian squandered six set points in the second set but bounced back strongly in the next two sets.

Djokovic was able to advance at SW19 after battling for three hours, 20 minutes, not just against his opponent but also against the stomach bug.

“I went from feeling my absolute best for a set and a half to my absolute worst for about 45 minutes,” said Djokovic, the No. 6 in the PIF ATP Rankings. “Whether it was a stomach bug, I struggled with that, but then the energy kicked back after the doctor’s miracle pills and I managed to finish the match on a good note.”

Asked if he was thinking about retiring, Djokovic said, “No, I honestly wasn’t thinking about that or taking that as an option.”

Meanwhile, the expectations are always lofty from Novak Djokovic. He won his last Major at the 2023 US Open and since then he hasn’t been able to go all the way while chasing his 25th record-breaking title.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I have a chance. I think I always have a chance. I think I earned my right to really feel like I can go all the way to the title,” the 38-year-old from Serbia said. “I always felt like grass, particularly in the second part of my career, was really the surface where I played my best tennis. So why not do it again?” 

Djokovic will face Britain’s Dan Evans in the second round on Thursday.