
Djokovic joins Federer in exclusive Wimbledon men's club
Milestone met. The journey continues…
Novak Djokovic has become just the 3rd player to record 100 match-wins at Wimbledon, after 9-time champion Martina Navratilova and 8-time champion Roger Federer 🌱#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/5pEXE0pE4t
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2025
'Very historic, it sounds very nice,' he said. 'Tennis made me who I am, it has given me incredible things in life so I try not to take anything for granted, especially at my age and trying to compete with the younger players.
'Wimbledon is a favourite tournament, not just for myself but for most players. Any history I make at my favourite tournament, I'm blessed.'
Apart from being broken when he served for the match, it was a pretty routine display for the seven-time champion, although one spectacular diving backhand volleyed winner after a lung-busting rally will make the highlights reel.
Novak Djokovic, left, hugs compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic (Mike Egerton/PA)
'It was kind of like an ecstasy, to be honest, in that moment,' added Djokovic.
'Yeah, I was super, super happy. It came at a really important moment as well. I think 4-3, deuce, long point.
'We both were running around each other, around the whole court. Then just that diving backhand volley down-the-line passing shot. Can't wait to see the highlights.'
That shot thrilled the Saturday SW19 crowd and a host of sports glitterati in the Royal Box including Sir Geoff Hurst, Sir Steve Redgrave and Lord Botham.
The Centre Court punters could be forgiven for feeling a little short-changed, however, after three one-sided contests.
Certainly the 11pm curfew was never in danger after Jannik Sinner dropped just five games against Pedro Martinez and Iga Swiatek beat Danielle Collins in straight sets, before Djokovic disposed of his 25-year-old countryman in an hour and 47 minutes.
Djokovic, bidding for a record 25th grand slam title, will face Australian 11th seed Alex De Minaur in his 17th appearance in the last 16 at Wimbledon.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

South Wales Argus
20 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Jannik Sinner gets reprieve as Grigor Dimitrov forced to retire when two sets up
The 34-year-old Bulgarian was two sets up and playing some inspired tennis when, at 2-2 in the third set, he clutched his chest after serving an ace. Sinner rushed around the net to check on his opponent as he sat, in some distress, on the court. Jannik Sinner and physios check on Grigor Dimitrov (Jordan Pettitt/PA) The 19th seed was helped to his feet by two physios and went off to receive treatment, before returning a few minutes later to shake Sinner's hand. It was more dreadful luck for a popular player, who had to retire injured from matches in the last four grand slams, including against Daniil Medvedev here at the same stage last year. Sinner, who helped Dimitrov pack his rackets away and carried his bag off court, said: 'I don't know what to say. He is an incredible player, I think we all saw this today. 'He's been so unlucky in the past couple of years. An incredible player, a good friend also. Seeing him in this position, if there would be a chance he could play the next round he would deserve it. A sight we never want to see. Grigor Dimitrov is forced to retire while leading two sets to love. Everyone at #Wimbledon is wishing you a speedy recovery, Grigor 💚💜 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2025 'I hope he has a speedy recovery. I don't take this as a win at all. This is just a very unfortunate moment to witness for all of us. 'In the last grand slams he struggled a lot. Seeing him again having this kind of injury is very, very tough. It's very sad. We all wish him only the best, let's have applause for him.' It was a major reprieve for Sinner, the three-time grand slam winner who looked set to be on the end of a seismic shock in front of a stunned Centre Court. Grigor Dimitrov waves to the crowd after retiring through injury (Jordan Pettitt/PA) The Italian had slipped on the baseline in the opening game and took a medical timeout midway through the second set for treatment on his right wrist and elbow. But the physio was unable to alleviate the real pain for Sinner, which was Dimitrov serving up a grass-court clinic on a surface the 23-year-old has yet to get to grips with. However, after two hours and eight minutes of vintage Dimitrov, his body let him down again, so it is the top seed who will face American Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals.


The Independent
22 minutes ago
- The Independent
Roger Federer reacts in Royal Box to Grigor Dimitrov's dramatic Wimbledon exit
Roger Federer appeared emotional as he watched Grigor Dimitrov 's dramatic retirement from Wimbledon on Centre Court. Dimitrov retired from his match with Jannik Sinner with a pectoral injury after dominating throughout and going up 6-3, 7-5, 2-2. Dimitrov, the 19th seed, won the opening two sets and held serve with an ace in the third but then fell to the ground, saying: 'My pec, my pec,' as a concerned Sinner walked round the net to ask what was wrong. Sinner stayed by the side of Dimitrov who shed tears while he received treatment and the Bulgarian eventually threw in the towel and walked off to a standing ovation from the Centre Court crowd. Federer was sitting front and centre in the Royal Box, overlooking the court where he won eight Wimbledon titles. The Swiss appeared shocked by the incident as he looked on. Sinner said of Dimitrov, who has now retired from his past four majors with injury: 'I don't know what to say because he's an incredible player. I think we all saw this today. He's been so unlucky in the past couple of years. He's an incredible player, a good friend of mine also, and we understand each other very well off the court too. 'Seeing him in this position... if there would be a chance that he could play in the next round, he would deserve it. Now I hope he has a speedy recovery. Very, very unlucky from his side. I don't take this as a win at all... just an unfortunate moment to witness for all of us.' Sinner arrived for the clash having not dropped serve in 36 games but Dimitrov broke him on the first attempt to grab a 2-0 lead and the elegant veteran played near-flawless tennis to close out the opening set and leave the crowd stunned. Troubled by a right elbow problem following a fall earlier in the clash, Sinner took a medical timeout five games into the second set after being jolted again by Dimitrov, who shook off dropping his own serve late on to double his lead. Pushed into a corner, Sinner came out fighting but the match ended in anticlimactic fashion in the third set and the Italian now faces American 10th seed Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals.

Leader Live
34 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Novak Djokovic recovers from his worst first set at Wimbledon to reach quarters
The Serbian has not fallen before the final at the All England Club since 2017 but he will need to raise his level if he is to maintain that record after scrapping to a 1-6 6-4 6-4 6-4 victory over Alex De Minaur in three hours and 19 minutes. Djokovic cannot have played many worse sets at Wimbledon than the opening one here, with the Serbian making 16 unforced errors, including four double faults and dropping serve three times. "It's probably the first time he's watched me and I won the match." Novak Djokovic is relieved to get a win in front of Roger Federer 😅#Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 7, 2025 It is the sixth time Djokovic has lost a set 6-1 at the All England Club but the first time he has done so in the first set. Watching from the Royal Box was the 38-year-old's long-time rival Federer, and Djokovic said at the end with a smile: 'Sometimes I wish I had the serve and volley and nice touch from the gentleman that is standing right there. That would help. 'This is probably the first time he is watching me and I have won the match. The last couple of times I lost, so it's good to break the curse. 'Obviously he's one of the greatest legends of our game in the history of tennis. So it always is extra special when he's in the stands.' 3⃣4⃣ shots! 😮 Novak Djokovic and Alex De Minaur played out the longest rally of tournament so far – and the seven-time champion enjoyed it. #Wimbledon #BBCTennis — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 7, 2025 Djokovic set about flipping the script at the start of the second set, breaking the De Minaur serve only for the Australian to hit back after an exhausting game lasting nearly 19 minutes. Ahead went Djokovic again, the Serbian putting his finger to his ear and whipping up the crowd after a 34-shot rally, and back came De Minaur, but the seven-time champion managed to hold on to his final break, resisting more pressure from the Australian. De Minaur was devastated to have to pull out of a quarter-final against Djokovic 12 months ago after hurting his hip, and he continued to cause problems for his opponent, opening up a 4-1 lead in the fourth set. But a chance to lead 5-1, and very likely force a decider, went begging and Djokovic reacted in ruthless fashion with five games in a row. Djokovic blamed nerves and a swirling wind for his poor start, saying: 'It was very challenging for me. I was not feeling good, not finding the right timing. He was obviously feeling that. 'Honestly big, big relief to finish the match in four sets. Credit to him for making me feel very uncomfortable on the court. Just fortunate to get through this one.' Next up, Djokovic finds an unexpected quarter-finalist facing him in the shape of 22nd seed Flavio Cobolli – although he is not even the first person in his family to take on the Italian this fortnight. Djokovic revealed his 10-year-old son Stefan has hit with Cobolli on the practice courts, and the sixth seed joked: 'Of course, I'll have a conversation with my son and see what he has noticed in the game of Cobolli the other day. 'He (Cobolli) is a big fighter. We get along well. We practise whenever we can. We just had a hug. I definitely need to work on my game and start the match better than I did today.' De Minaur, who was cheered on by fiancee Katie Boulter, is still looking for his big grand slam breakthrough, and he said: 'In the bigger moments today I think my level dipped, and I didn't rise up to the occasion as I needed to if I wanted to beat someone as good as him.' Cobolli dropped his first set of the tournament but saw off former finalist Marin Cilic 6-4 6-4 6-7 (4) 7-6 (3) to reach his first slam quarter-final. Cilic complained afterwards about being scheduled first on court, saying: 'I feel bitter because why is there a need to play at 11am?' American Ben Shelton, meanwhile, had the familiar feeling of beating Italian Lorenzo Sonego having now done so at three grand slams in a row. They are the first pair to meet in singles at the opening three majors in a year since Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe back in 1984, with Shelton triumphing 3-6 6-1 7-6 (1) 7-5.