Djokovic Sets Record at Wimbledon, Jokes About Next-Gen Rivals
Novak Djokovic continues to make history at Wimbledon. On Thursday, he secured his place in the third round for a record 19th time, surpassing Roger Federer’s previous record. Djokovic defeated Britain’s Dan Evans with a commanding 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 victory on Centre Court, marking his 99th win at the prestigious tournament.
While the 36-year-old Serbian superstar is no stranger to breaking records—boasting 24 Grand Slam titles, including seven at Wimbledon—he took the opportunity to tease his younger competitors.
“That’s probably almost as much as [Jannik] Sinner and [Carlos] Alcaraz have years in their lives,” Djokovic joked about his 19 appearances in the third round.
Despite his achievements, Djokovic remains focused on the present rather than reflecting on his storied career. “I don’t pause to reflect, to be honest. I don’t have time,” he said in an on-court interview. “I think that’s going to come probably when I set the racket aside and then sip margarita on the beach with Federer and Nadal and just reflect on our rivalry and everything.”
Djokovic showed resilience against Evans, initially struggling to convert break points but eventually dominating the match. After failing to convert his first nine break points, he finally broke Evans’s serve and didn’t look back.
Sinner Advances with Dominant Performance
Italy’s Jannik Sinner, one of the young stars Djokovic mentioned, advanced to the third round with an impressive 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 win over Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic. The 21-year-old fired 38 winners and only 11 unforced errors, showcasing the form that has made him a rising force in men’s tennis.
Sinner, who reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2023, is aiming to make his first final at the All England Club. He has already made significant strides in other Grand Slam tournaments, including a runner-up finish at the French Open last month where he pushed Alcaraz to five sets.
Cilic Upsets Draper in a Four-Set Thriller
In a surprising turn of events, Croatia’s Marin Cilic defeated home favorite Jack Draper, the No. 4 seed, with a 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 victory. The 34-year-old Cilic, a former Wimbledon finalist, overcame the partisan crowd at Court One to secure his place in the third round.
Draper, seen as the new face of British tennis following Andy Murray’s retirement, expressed his disappointment. “It’s probably one of my toughest losses. Pretty frustrated and upset. It hurts badly,” he said. Draper has yet to advance past the second round at Wimbledon in four attempts.
Meanwhile, Cilic reflected on his journey back to form after knee surgery sidelined him. “My emotions are just incredible. Where I was two years ago, I can’t even describe. It has been a long journey but I never lost any faith,” he shared.
