Novak Djokovic overcame a leg injury and a marathon five-set match to defeat Felix Auger-Aliassime at Wimbledon. The Serb now faces defending champion Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals. The contest lasted over five hours.
Novak Djokovic secured his place in the Wimbledon semi-finals after a dramatic five-set victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime, in a match that stretched beyond five hours and tested both players to their limits. The contest, played on a packed Centre Court, saw Djokovic recover from an early leg injury and withstand multiple momentum shifts before prevailing 7-6 (12-10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (10-4).
The 39-year-old, aiming for a record 25th Grand Slam singles title, appeared in serious trouble during the opening set when he called for medical attention after injuring his lower left leg. Despite visible discomfort, Djokovic managed to hold serve, receive treatment, and return to the match with renewed mobility. The opening set was decided by a tense 22-point tie-break, with both players missing set points before Auger-Aliassime faltered at a crucial moment.
Auger-Aliassime, seeded fourth, capitalised on a lapse from Djokovic late in the second set to level the match. The decision to close the Centre Court roof during the set drew protests from both players, with Djokovic openly questioning the tournament's adherence to its own rules. The third set remained tight until Djokovic broke serve to take control, eventually closing it out after a marathon service game from the Canadian.
Momentum swung again in the fourth set. Djokovic surged ahead, only for Auger-Aliassime to respond with a run of games and force a deciding set after clinching the tie-break. The final set saw both men hold serve under pressure, leading to a decisive match tie-break. Djokovic, drawing energy from the crowd, asserted himself in the closing points to reach his 15th Wimbledon semi-final.
His next opponent will be world number one Jannik Sinner, who earlier defeated Jan-Lennard Struff. The upcoming semi-final is a repeat of last year's encounter, when Sinner dispatched Djokovic in straight sets, prompting the Serb to reflect on the physical demands of the sport at his age. However, Djokovic avenged that loss in the Australian Open semi-finals in January, and his latest performance underlines his continued relevance at the highest level.
The match was notable not only for its duration—five hours and 15 minutes, the longest of Djokovic's Wimbledon career—but also for the resilience shown by both players. Djokovic celebrated his win with a gesture to the crowd and a dance in tribute to his daughter, highlighting the personal significance of the moment. The Centre Court audience, already treated to high drama this week, witnessed another epic following the recent five-set battle in which Arthur Fery stunned Grigor Dimitrov, as detailed in this report on Fery's Centre Court upset.
Wimbledon remains one of the most prestigious tournaments in tennis, with a history dating back to 1877. The event is renowned for its grass courts and strict traditions, including the all-white dress code. Djokovic's pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title would set a new all-time record, surpassing Margaret Court. Jannik Sinner, meanwhile, is defending his title and looking to confirm his status as the sport's new dominant force. The outcome of their semi-final will be closely watched, as it could signal a generational shift at the top of men's tennis or reinforce Djokovic's enduring legacy.
