Novak Djokovic outlasted third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the longest Wimbledon quarter-final on record, winning a five-hour, 15-minute thriller on Tuesday night. The 39-year-old advanced 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-4) on Centre Court, adding another epic to his long list at the All England Club.
Djokovic’s Resilience in Epic Showdown
Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, likened the marathon to his 2019 final against Roger Federer, noting the comparable length and intensity. He described the contest as evenly balanced for most of the night and said Auger-Aliassime, 25, maintained a high level before a slight dip in the deciding super tie-break, where Djokovic seized his chances.
The finish came just six minutes before the 11 p.m. curfew, capping a back-and-forth closing stretch that had the crowd on its feet. With the victory, Djokovic reached a record-extending 15th Wimbledon semi-final, further solidifying his legacy in tennis history.
Next, he will face world No. 1 and defending champion Jannik Sinner. Djokovic defeated Sinner in the Australian Open semi-finals in January, but the Italian leads their career series 6-5 and beat Djokovic at the same stage at Wimbledon last year. This upcoming match promises to be another thrilling encounter as both players bring their best to the court.
Reflecting on his form, Djokovic said he still takes pride in edging past opponents as much as 15 years younger, even as he holds himself to the highest standards. He drew parallels between this run and his season-opening surge in Australia, emphasizing that performing at Grand Slams remains his primary focus. With his experience and tenacity, Djokovic continues to demonstrate why he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis.