Novak Djokovic Triumphs in Thrilling Wimbledon Opener Against Yibing Wu

Djokovic's Challenging Start at Wimbledon

London, June 30: Novak Djokovic, a seven-time champion, kicked off his 21st Wimbledon journey with an exciting match, securing a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Yibing Wu from China on Tuesday.

Despite serving well, the No. 7 seed struggled to contain Wu, who thrived in the vibrant atmosphere of Centre Court. In the opening set, the world No. 102 from China delivered 15 winners, countered by a similar number of unforced errors.

The turning point emerged early in the second set. Had Djokovic capitalized on one of his initial break opportunities, he might have cruised to a straightforward win. However, failing to do so allowed Wu's confidence to soar as the crowd increasingly rallied behind him.

With the roof closed at the beginning of the third set, Djokovic faced relentless challenges. Competing in only his fifth tournament this year due to a shoulder injury, he summoned all his determination to break Wu late in the third set.

Djokovic's resilience paid off as he clinched the third set and then adopted a defensive strategy during crucial moments in the fourth, maintaining his perfect record of 21-0 in first-round matches at Wimbledon. He successfully defended against six break points in the fourth set, including three at 0/40 while leading 2-3, ultimately winning after three hours and 11 minutes.

This year marks Djokovic's first foray onto grass courts, and he is participating in just his fifth tour-level event of the season. His best performance in 2026 was reaching the final at the Australian Open.

“Wu deserves immense credit for his outstanding performance,” Djokovic remarked. “He applied significant pressure on me. I likely should have lost that fourth set. Matches like these often hinge on a few pivotal points. Thankfully, my 20 years of experience helped me navigate this situation. However, it would be ideal to blend that experience with a youthful, fresh body,” he added.