Novak Djokovic overcame a rocky start to defeat Alex de Minaur and reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals, finally breaking what he called a “curse” of losing matches in front of former rival Roger Federer. The 38-year-old Serb dropped the first set and trailed 4-1 in the fourth but fought back to secure a 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory after more than three hours on Centre Court.
Federer, an eight-time Wimbledon champion, watched from the Royal Box, adding another layer of pressure to an already tense encounter. Djokovic, who has long admired and competed against Federer, joked that it was the first time he’d won a match with the Swiss legend in attendance. Having previously faltered under similar circumstances, he said it felt good to finally break that pattern.
The match itself was a tough mental and physical battle. Djokovic, usually composed and efficient on grass, started uncharacteristically poorly. In the opening set, he committed numerous unforced errors and struggled with his serve, recording multiple double faults. De Minaur, seeded 11th and playing with confidence, broke Djokovic three times and sealed the first set in just 30 minutes.
Djokovic began to settle in the second set, breaking De Minaur in the first game, though he continued to face resistance. The Australian saved break points and responded with aggression, but Djokovic gradually found his rhythm. After several tense exchanges, the Serbian star took control in the final games of the set to level the match.
The third set followed a similar pattern, with both players exchanging breaks early on. Djokovic’s experience began to show as he handled pressure moments more effectively, eventually grabbing a key break in the ninth game before closing it out with a smart drop shot that marked a turning point in the contest.
Just as he appeared to be pulling away, Djokovic encountered another challenge in the fourth set. De Minaur broke early and surged to a 4-1 lead, looking poised to force a decider. However, Djokovic, drawing on deep reserves of resilience, saved a crucial break point to avoid falling further behind. That moment sparked a remarkable five-game winning streak that sealed the match and his place in the last eight.
This marks Djokovic’s 16th Wimbledon quarter-final, just two shy of Federer’s all-time record of 18. He also joins an elite group of men who have reached the Wimbledon last eight at age 38 or older in the Open era. Now only three victories away from a historic 25th Grand Slam title, Djokovic remains focused and determined despite the rocky path.
Next up, he faces Italian 22nd seed Flavio Cobolli in the quarter-finals. Should he progress, a potential semi-final against world number one Jannik Sinner awaits. With a record-equaling eighth Wimbledon title still within reach, Djokovic continues to defy age and expectations on the grass courts he’s dominated for over a decade.
