At 39 years old, Novak Djokovic has nothing left to prove. Yet somehow, the 24-time Grand Slam champion keeps finding new ways to etch his name into tennis lore.
On Tuesday, Djokovic outlasted third-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime in a grueling quarterfinal that stretched five hours and 15 minutes. The final score—7-6 (10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4)—barely captures the drama. It wasn't just the longest Wimbledon match of Djokovic's career; it was the longest quarterfinal in the history of the All England Club.
“These are the kind of moments that I still play tennis for,” Djokovic said afterward. “I’m still able to battle these young guys that have 15 years less than me. I’m able to beat them at the tightest possible scoreline. … In a sense, it is really a nice surprise. But at the same time, I always have the highest expectations for myself.”
Auger-Aliassime, who continues to climb the ATP rankings, tipped his cap to the veteran after the match. “We know, because we’ve seen him so much, but it’s so impressive that he does it time and time again,” he said.
Chasing Grand Slam No. 25
Djokovic is in hot pursuit of at least one more major title. He came agonizingly close at the Australian Open in January, falling to Carlos Alcaraz in the final. Now, at Wimbledon, he's just two wins away from adding to his legendary haul.
Standing in his way is world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, whom Djokovic will face in Friday's semifinal. The two have a history of epic battles: Djokovic outlasted Sinner in a five-set thriller at the Australian Open earlier this year, but Sinner leads their head-to-head 6-5. The stakes couldn't be higher.
Djokovic's run has not been without controversy. He received an official warning for on-court language earlier in the tournament, adding a layer of tension to his quest. But if Tuesday's marathon is any indication, the Serbian star is far from finished rewriting history.
As the tennis world watches, one question lingers: Can a 39-year-old Djokovic summon the energy to capture Grand Slam No. 25? If his quarterfinal performance is any guide, the answer may be a resounding yes.
