Novak Djokovic Triumphs at Wimbledon, Playfully Teases Roger Federer
Djokovic's Victory and Federer’s Presence
World No. 6 and Serbian tennis icon Novak Djokovic playfully poked fun at Swiss tennis great Roger Federer, who was in attendance at Centre Court during Djokovic's fourth-round match against Australia's Alex de Minaur at Wimbledon 2025 on July 7.
The 38-year-old secured his place in the quarterfinals after defeating de Minaur in four sets, with scores of 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, taking three hours and 18 minutes. This marked the second time Djokovic dropped a set in this tournament, having previously done so in his first-round match against France's Alexandre Muller, which he also won in four sets.
A Comeback for the Ages
Djokovic struggled initially against de Minaur, losing the first set and leaving the Centre Court audience in disbelief as they speculated about a possible upset. However, showcasing his renowned resilience and strategic prowess, he rallied back to win the next three sets, advancing to his 16th quarterfinal at Wimbledon.
Breaking the 'Curse'
In a post-match interview, Djokovic expressed his delight at breaking the 'curse' of losing in front of Federer. He remarked, "It's probably the first time he's watching me and I've won the match. In the last couple, I lost, so it's good to break the curse," as Federer nodded in agreement.
"It's probably the first time he's watched me and I won the match." - Novak Djokovic
Rivalry and Respect
Djokovic and Federer have a storied rivalry, having faced each other 50 times, with Djokovic leading 27-23. Their encounters at Wimbledon include four matches, where Djokovic holds a 3-1 advantage. The last meeting was in the thrilling 2019 final, where Djokovic saved two championship points to win his fifth title.
Reflecting on Federer, Djokovic shared his admiration for the Swiss legend, who retired in 2022, and noted the significance of sharing the stage at their favorite Grand Slam event.
Federer's Wimbledon Legacy
Roger Federer boasts the record for the most Wimbledon titles by a male player, with his last victory in 2017 against Croatia's Marin Cilic. He also holds the record for the most match wins (105) at the tournament.
Recently, Djokovic joined Federer and Martina Navratilova in achieving 100 match wins at Wimbledon.
Chasing History
With his quarterfinal win, Djokovic continues his pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, a feat he has been aiming for since 2024. He previously missed opportunities to surpass Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles after semifinal losses at both the Australian Open and French Open.
If Djokovic wins Wimbledon this year, he will match Federer’s record of eight men's singles titles at the tournament, the highest in history. He has faced setbacks in the last two finals against Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz, missing out on his eighth title.