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08.07.2026.

14:48

One of those matches that leaves you speechless

Honestly, what can you even write after a match like this? You don’t want to undersell it, but you don’t want to exaggerate either.

Izvor: B92.sport

Autor: Milan Tomić

Milan Tomić
One of those matches that leaves you speechless
Tanjug/AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska

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Caught up in the euphoria, and even a sense of patriotism, one might think that Novak Djokovic is not only the greatest tennis player, but the greatest athlete of all time.

After five hours and 15 minutes of “absolute cinema”, just before curfew, the Serbian star booked his place in the Wimbledon semifinals.

It would not be Novak if he did not break at least one record. This time, he became the player with the most fifth sets played in the Open Era (50).

If someone had turned on the TV broadcast during the deciding set, judging by the quality and intensity of the points, they would have thought the match had only just begun.

And all of this at the age of 39...

One of those matches that leaves you speechless
Tanjug/AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska

This was one of those matches that keeps you glued to the TV, one of those where after every point you find yourself asking: how is this even possible?

It is not easy just sitting and watching such a battle unfold on screen, let alone competing for so long against an opponent 14 years younger.

“What can I say? These are the moments I still play tennis for,” said a visibly exhausted Djokovic.

With this triumph, Novak confirmed his consistency in London, where he has reached the semifinals in each of his last eight appearances.

The seventh seed is now just two victories away from his first Wimbledon title since 2022, when he defeated Nick Kyrgios.

By becoming only the second man aged 39 or older to reach the Wimbledon semifinals, alongside Ken Rosewall, Djokovic has now recorded 107 wins at the tournament.

 
One of those matches that leaves you speechless
Tanjug/AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska

This match was just as long in duration as the 2018 semifinal against Rafael Nadal. It also appeared to be of a similarly high quality.

“This is one of the best matches I have played on this court,” Novak admitted.

Fortunately, Djokovic did not suffer a repeat of Roland Garros, where he lost to Fonseca after a dramatic deciding set.

This time, against Felix, he twice held a set advantage, had a break lead in the fourth set, and in the fifth had several chances to break Auger-Aliassime’s serve...

When things got difficult, his serve came to the rescue as a powerful weapon. But it was far from being the only factor. The famous returns from impossible positions, the drop shots played when testing the nerves of the fans — all of it worked against the Canadian.

 
One of those matches that leaves you speechless
Tanjug/AP Photo/Maja Smiejkowska

Novak’s next obstacle is a familiar and completely expected one – Jannik Sinner.

It will be their third Wimbledon semifinal meeting in the last four years.

After their previous encounter, which the Italian won with almost no effort, the seven-time champion was left reflecting on the effects of age.

“I don’t think it’s bad luck. It’s just age, the wear and tear on the body,” Novak said at the time.

Twelve months later, he is back again, looking seemingly more prepared and more confident than he was then.

In January, he defeated Sinner in the Australian Open semifinal, while on Tuesday, just as he did then, he showed why he remains a contender for Grand Slam titles.

The blockbuster is scheduled for Friday.

Tagovi

Wimbledon Novak Djokovic

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