Novak Djokovic battled through an extraordinary five-set thriller against Felix Auger-Aliassime, securing a spot in the Wimbledon semifinals. The 39-year-old Serbian showcased remarkable resilience to win 7-6 (12-10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (10-4) in a match lasting over five hours.
Djokovic appeared to be in trouble early in the match when he sustained a leg injury during the first set. However, following a medical time-out and treatment, he continued to compete and ultimately prevailed against the fourth-seeded Auger-Aliassime. This victory marks the longest match of Djokovic's career at Wimbledon.
"I won that match with a racquet and a lot of heart," an exhausted Djokovic stated after the match. "These are the kind of moments I still play tennis for." He expressed a wish that the match had been the final, to avoid concerns about his physical condition the following day.
With this win, Djokovic is now two victories away from securing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title, which would give him sole possession of the all-time record, surpassing Margaret Court's 24 titles. He has been tied with Court since the 2023 US Open.
Djokovic is set to face the defending champion, Jannik Sinner, in the semifinals. Sinner advanced to this stage by defeating Jan-Lennard Struff. This semifinal is a repeat of the matchup from last year's tournament, where Sinner defeated Djokovic decisively.
Last year, following his loss to Sinner at Wimbledon, Djokovic had attributed his struggles to age and the physical toll of the sport. However, his performance against Auger-Aliassime demonstrated his continued ability to contend at the highest level, overcoming an opponent 14 years his junior in a demanding test of endurance. Djokovic previously avenged his 2023 Wimbledon defeat to Sinner in the semifinals of the Australian Open in January.
After his demanding victory, Djokovic acknowledged the applause from the Centre Court crowd and celebrated with a dance routine dedicated to his daughter.