Novak Djokovic Equals Federer’s Wimbledon Record with Gritty Victory

Djokovic's Resilience Shines at Wimbledon

London [UK], July 3: Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic may not have displayed his usual dominance on Friday at Wimbledon, yet the seven-time champion demonstrated his renowned tenacity by overcoming a tough challenge from Arthur Rinderknech. This victory allowed him to match Roger Federer’s record for the most men’s singles match wins at the prestigious grass-court Grand Slam.

Facing a formidable opponent on Centre Court, Djokovic elevated his performance during critical moments to counter the Frenchman’s strong serve, ultimately securing a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4) win in the third round of the ongoing tournament.

This triumph marked Djokovic's 105th singles victory at Wimbledon, placing him on par with Federer for the highest number of men’s singles wins at the event. Only former world No. 1 Martina Navratilova has more, with 120 singles victories at Wimbledon.

“Making history in this sport is a tremendous honor and privilege. This tournament has always been a childhood dream for me. I’m not focused on whether it’s 105 or 106 wins; my goal is simply to win each match as it comes,” Djokovic stated during his on-court interview, as reported by the ATP Tour website.

“I felt quite stressed today, with more tension than usual. I anticipated a challenging match, and I’m relieved to have come through it. I suggest a matchup between Roger and me for 106!” he added.

Having secured victory in his initial encounter with Rinderknech, Djokovic is set to face 28-year-old qualifier Roman Safiullin in the fourth round. Safiullin advanced after defeating rising star Joao Fonseca with a commanding 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 performance.

Safiullin’s journey is particularly impressive, considering he struggled with injuries towards the end of the 2025 season and entered Wimbledon without a tour-level win in 2026. However, he has regained his form on grass, making it to the second week of the Championships.