Novak Djokovic (AP Photo)
LONDON: Late in the opening set of his third-round match at Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic, slightly off balance, threw himself to his right to meet a volley, setting it up perfectly for the win. Seconds later, the 39-year-old was back on his feet, bowing on center court before turning to the fans and asking for more love.
In the stands, his son Stefan jumped in wild celebration, continuing what was increasingly becoming a Djokovic show.More than three hours later, after 225 points and 41 tennis matches, Djokovic was leading again. This time, he and his rival Arthur Rinderkneich lay on the turf after the Serbian scored the winning goal past the French giant to seal the victory. Djokovic was first to his feet, walking around the net to embrace and applaud Renderknesh, nine years his junior, whose courageous performance pushed the 24-time major champion further than he would have liked.
Djokovic, who stepped out in a jacket that looked every inch the seven-time Wimbledon champion, changed gears at just the right moments to cruise to a 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4) win over the 30-year-old Frenchman and book his place in the fourth round, where he will face world number 132 and qualifier Roman Saviolin.“A little luck and a little skill in the end,” Djokovic said when asked how he accomplished the task. “It was a flawless tiebreaker on my part.
I did everything I could. I think I served very well, just in the tiebreak. “For most of the match, I struggled with my serve.”“But it was also because of his quality. He’s very tall, he serves amazingly. It was a tiring, very close match. Sometimes, you just have to find a way to win, and I’m glad I did that today.”Friday’s victory, which featured 107 winners – 67 of them from Rinderkneich – saw Djokovic equal Roger Federer’s record of 105 singles match victories in the men’s draw at Wimbledon.
The pair trail only Martina Navratilova, who holds the all-time record with 120 Grand Slam victories on grass courts.At this stage of his career, Djokovic prefers to conserve energy. The seven-time champion said he hoped his body would continue to cooperate as the tournament progressed.“I think I did everything I had to do today, under conditions that were probably not as good for me as they were in the second round, and it was still enough to win,” he said.
“At this age and stage of my career, every day brings something new and unpredictable for me. I hope in a few days I will be out at my best.”
Fonseca, Godard withdraw
It hasn’t been the best of days for the two 19-year-olds remaining in the men’s draw. Raphael Godard and Joao Fonseca, ranked 23rd and 24th respectively, were defeated by finalists Shintaro Mochizuki and Saviolin.Fonseca, who had been slow to move and take shots during the day, looked like someone forced to work without his morning coffee as he came out 3-6, 3-6, 3-6 against return man Safiulin.Saviolin, who ranked 36th and reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2023, was forced to cut short his 2025 season in September after injuring his knee. He arrives at this year’s tournament without a win at tour level in 2026. But after struggling through qualifying, the Russian has recorded three solid victories, over Andrey Rublev, Boteach van de Zandschulp and now Fonseca, to book his place in the last 16.On the other hand, Godard lost 6-1, 6-7 (5), 4-6, 4-6 to Shintaro Mochizuki, ranked 151 in the world.