Novak Djokovic returned to the Wimbledon semi-finals for a record-extending 15th time on Tuesday, when he survived a major test from Felix Auger-Aliassime to earn a dramatic 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-4) victory and book a blockbuster rematch with World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
In a gripping five-hour-and-15-minute quarter-final clash that swung one way and then the other, Djokovic recovered from receiving treatment for a leg issue during the first set and from squandering a break advantage in the fourth set to eventually prevail in the longest quarter-final in Wimbledon history.
The former World No. 1 absorbed Auger-Aliassime’s heavy ball-striking and was mentally tough down the home straight to triumph just six minutes before the 11 p.m. curfew. Djokovic raised his arms aloft after sealing victory before he embraced a spent Auger-Aliassime at the net following a clash that will be long regarded as a Wimbledon classic.
In his on-court interview, Djokovic was asked how he found a way.
"With a racquet and a lot of heart and management of the nerves and the extreme tension you feel in these kinds of matches," Djokovic said. "Towards the end it was anyone's game. The scoreline was even all the way through. I think it was anyone's game in the super tie-break in the fifth. These are the kind of moments that I still play tennis for."
Djokovic will now meet Sinner on Friday in a repeat of last year's semi-final, when the Italian halted Djokovic's bid for a record-extending 25th major title and an eighth Wimbledon crown with a straight-sets victory before going on to lift the trophy.
Djokovic now has the chance to gain revenge on Centre Court, having already defeated Sinner in five sets in the Australian Open semi-finals this year. The 39-year-old set up a 12th Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with the Italian (Sinner 6-5) with a mammoth victory against third seed Auger-Aliassime under the Centre Court roof.
"I was telling the kids to go to sleep after the fourth but they didn't want to listen and I am glad they stayed," Djokovic said. "It was honestly one of the best matches I have been part of on this court in my career."
The win also extended Djokovic's remarkable consistency at The Championships. The 39-year-old has now reached the semi-finals in each of his past eight Wimbledon appearances, with Tuesday's triumph ensuring he has still not lost before the last four at SW19 since 2017.
The seventh seed is now two wins from his first Wimbledon title since 2023, although his route to the semi-finals has been anything but straightforward. Having dropped five sets through five matches, Djokovic will likely need to find another level and dig deep against Sinner, who has not lost a set since surviving a five-set first-round battle with Miomir Kecmanovic.
Djokovic, who is just the second man in the Open Era aged 39 or older to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals alongside Ken Rosewall, has now earned 107 match wins at The Championships. The Serbian surpassed Roger Federer's previous men's record of 105 victories with his fourth-round win over Roman Safiullin.
In an action-packed opening set, the first major flashpoint came at 4-4 when Djokovic appeared to tweak his calf. The Serbian took a medical timeout at 5-4 but quickly settled back into his rhythm. The 39-year-old earned two set points on Auger-Aliassime's serve at 4-5, 15/40, only for the Canadian to erase both chances.
The pair then produced a gripping tie-break in which each man held three set points. At 9/10, Djokovic enjoyed a slice of fortune when his shanked forehand hit the line, forcing an error from Auger-Aliassime. Moments later, the Serbian sealed the opener when the Canadian pushed a drive forehand volley long.
Auger-Aliassime responded in the eighth game of the second set, breaking Djokovic’s serve for the first time. At 3-4, 30/40, the Serbian double faulted to hand the Canadian the breakthrough. Auger-Aliassime then displayed remarkable composure to save two break points — including one with a backhand winner after Djokovic had floated a lob over his head — before closing out the set with one of the 20 aces he hit in the match.
The roof was closed before the start of the third set, a change that could have favoured Auger-Aliassime, who has won eight of his nine tour-level titles indoors. Instead, it was Djokovic, a 20-time indoor titlist, who elevated his level, raised his intensity and began to dictate play.
The World No. 8 increased his intensity, concentration and upped the pace on his forehand by six mph from the second to third sets to lead again. However, facing a 0-2 deficit in the fourth set with Djokovic seemingly in cruise control, Auger-Aliassime battled back. The Canadian found more first serves and started to hit through the Serbian with his destructive forehand to force a decider in front of an electric crowd. Yet Djokovic was not to be denied, raising his level in the fifth-set 10-point tie-break to triumph in one of the matches of the tournament.
The Canadian was competing in his second Wimbledon quarter-final and was trying to reach the last four for the first time. The 25-year-old earned a five-set victory against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the fourth round and was just a few points away from backing that up against Djokovic and earning his fourth Top-10 win at a major.
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