After dropping the first set, Novak Djokovic roared back with signature resilience to defeat Alex de Minaur in four sets at Wimbledon, marking his 16th appearance in the quarter-finals at SW19.
London [UK], July 8:
Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic showcased his trademark grit and experience on Centre Court as he battled back from a sluggish start to defeat Alex de Minaur and secure a place in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon 2025 for a remarkable 16th time. Djokovic prevailed in a four-set thriller — 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 — in a contest that stretched over three hours and nineteen minutes on Monday.
It was a match that tested Djokovic’s patience and shot-making under difficult, swirling conditions. The 24-time Grand Slam champion struggled early as De Minaur dominated the first set, breaking Djokovic’s serve three times. The Australian, who had dropped just one set en route to the fourth round, looked poised to push for a major upset.
However, Djokovic recalibrated in the second set, found rhythm in his groundstrokes, and began limiting his unforced errors. He capitalized on crucial moments to edge out the next three sets, showcasing the resilience and strategic brilliance that have defined his career.
Djokovic Reflects on the Turning Point
“I am still trying to process the whole match and what happened on court,” Djokovic said during his post-match interview, as quoted by the ATP Tour. “It wasn’t a great start for me, it was a great start for him. He broke my serve three times in the first set. Very windy, swirly conditions on the court. He was just managing better from the baseline.”
Djokovic identified the closing moments of the second set as the momentum shift. “That was kind of the turning point where I felt like, ‘OK, I’m back in the game.’ From there, I found my footing,” he said.
He also praised De Minaur’s defensive skills, describing the match as “cat-and-mouse play.” “He is one of the quickest players we have on the Tour. On grass, where the ball stays low, it’s tough to play someone like him. He exposes all your weaknesses,” Djokovic added.
Djokovic Eyes More History at SW19
The win marked Djokovic’s 101st career victory at Wimbledon, and he now stands just three wins away from clinching a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title. If he succeeds, he would also tie Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon men’s singles titles, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest to ever grace the sport.
Reflecting on the match and the crowd, Djokovic joked: “Sometimes, I wish I had a serve and volley and a nice touch from the gentleman who is standing right there, that would help,” alluding to past Wimbledon champions watching from the stands.
What’s Next?
Djokovic will face a yet-to-be-determined opponent in the quarter-finals. With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner on the opposite side of the draw, a potential blockbuster final looms — but the Serbian icon remains laser-focused on the next match.
Meanwhile, De Minaur’s Wimbledon campaign ends in disappointment after another thwarted attempt at a deep run, following last year’s withdrawal from the quarter-finals due to injury.