Novak Djokovic is two wins away from a record 25th Grand Slam title after beating Felix Auger-Aliassime in a five-set thriller at Wimbledon on Tuesday. The match lasted five hours and 15 minutes and ended 7-6 (12-10) 3-6 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (10-4), according to BBC Sport.
The match nearly ended early. Djokovic pulled up with a leg injury at 4-4 in the first set and immediately called for the trainer. He had to play through his service game before receiving treatment, grimacing during a massage on the changeover. He returned and moved freely enough to take the first set in a 22-point tiebreak after Auger-Aliassime hit a skewed volley to hand him the opener.
"I won that match with a racquet and a lot of heart," Djokovic said afterward. "What can I say? These are the kind of moments I still play tennis for. I wish it was the final so I don't need to worry about how the body will feel tomorrow, but I'm happy that I won."
Auger-Aliassime, the third seed, leveled the match in the second set after Djokovic dropped serve. The roof was closed at that point despite protests from both players. Djokovic argued with officials about the decision. "You are so proud of your rules and you're not sticking to any kind of rule. We have no idea what the rule is," he said.
The two traded sets before Djokovic took the deciding fifth set tiebreak 10-4.
After the final point, Djokovic stood with his arms raised before performing a dance routine on court as a tribute to his daughter.
He is tied with Margaret Court at 24 Grand Slam titles, a mark he has held since the 2023 US Open. His next opponent, world number one Jannik Sinner, defeated Jan-Lennard Struff earlier Tuesday. Sinner beat Djokovic at Wimbledon last year in straight sets, a loss that prompted Djokovic to say: "I don't think it's bad fortune. It's just age, the wear and tear of the body." Djokovic did beat Sinner in the Australian Open semifinals in January.
The semifinal is scheduled for later this week at Centre Court.
