Novak Djokovic overcame illness and a determined opponent in Alexandre Müller to reach the second round at Wimbledon, navigating a tense four-set match that tested his endurance and resolve. The seven-time champion prevailed 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-3 in a contest that veered unexpectedly from dominance to distress before ending in a trademark Djokovic resurgence.
The early stages offered no hint of the trouble to come. Djokovic raced through the first set in vintage form, breaking Müller with ease and reeling off six consecutive games after the Frenchman held serve in the opener. It appeared the match might be a routine outing for the Serb, who looked sharp and clinical. But things quickly turned.
In the second set, Müller raised his level, while Djokovic’s energy dipped. Serving at 4-5, Müller faced three set points but saved them all, a prelude to an extended mental and physical struggle for Djokovic. Despite having multiple chances to close out the set including six set points overall he failed to convert. Müller eventually snatched the set in a tie-break, leveling the match and sending shockwaves through Centre Court.
At that moment, with the 41st-ranked Müller playing freely and Djokovic looking physically drained, there was a sense that another top seed might fall. Wimbledon has already seen a remarkable number of early upsets, with four of the top 10 men and an equal number of top-ranked women crashing out in the first round, the most in the tournament’s Open era.
Djokovic, however, is not easily unseated. After receiving treatment for a suspected stomach issue, he emerged with renewed energy, apparently aided by medication administered during a medical timeout. The third and fourth sets saw a return to his characteristic baseline dominance and control of rallies. Müller, who had played bravely throughout, was gradually worn down as Djokovic rediscovered his rhythm.
With the win, Djokovic moves on to face Britain’s Dan Evans in the second round. Evans, now 35, has a rare winning record against Djokovic, having defeated him in Monte Carlo four years ago. However, age and recent form suggest he enters the match as the clear underdog.
Djokovic, meanwhile, remains focused on the bigger picture. Despite the scare, he reaffirmed his confidence in going all the way at Wimbledon once again. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I had a chance,” he said, brushing off doubts raised by his unsteady performance. The resilience he showed against Müller underscored his enduring belief and his unique ability to survive even when not at his best.
Elsewhere, another upset further contributed to Wimbledon’s wild first round. Arthur Rinderknech stunned world No 4 Alexander Zverev in a grueling five-set marathon spread across two days. Rinderknech, ranked 72nd, hit 79 winners, including a decisive backhand to seal the biggest win of his career. The 29-year-old Frenchman has never advanced past the third round of a major, but his performance against Zverev showed he is capable of producing brilliance under pressure.
As the tournament continues, the exit of top seeds and the survival of Djokovic add intrigue to what is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable editions of Wimbledon in recent memory.
