WIMBLEDON — Watching Novak Djokovic on Centre Court is a privilege, more so knowing each match could be his last on this stage.
Not all will agree. His critics might counter the privilege part, while Djokovic himself would contest the last part given the 39-year-old is, understandably, noncommittal about setting a retirement date.
Nevertheless, his own uncertainty over whether he will return to the French Open next year means this could also be his last dance at SW19, where he is not going down without a fight.
Hot, bothered, but once again better than his opponent for a record 106th time at Wimbledon, Djokovic is into a record-extending 66th grand slam quarter-final – a tally that takes 16-and-a-half years to achieve, minimum.
No man has won more matches at Wimbledon, ever.Novak Djokovic overtakes Roger Federer's record to secure a historic 106th gentlemen’s singles win at The Championships pic.twitter.com/sJ6Ee5nt7u
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2026No male player has won more matches here than the No 7 seed and seven-time champion, who surpassed Roger Federer when beating a spirited Roman Safiullin in four sets on Sunday.
It is another record where the name of Wimbledon’s darling is wiped off, and yet Djokovic could win twice as many matches here and still not garner the same level of respect.
Djokovic knows it. He not only witnessed that preference for Federer throughout their 50-match rivalry, but also when Wimbledon unveiled champion after champion in 2022 to celebrate Centre Court’s 100th anniversary, a suited Federer receiving the longest standing ovation of them all.
There is a concoction of reasons for this, one ingredient being Djokovic arriving after Federer and Rafael Nadal – crashing the party when supporters had already picked sides – and another his brushes with controversy: his Covid stance and deportation from Australia included.
It is also down to Djokovic’s sometimes bristling on-court demeanour, which contrasted with Federer’s famed serenity, although we are then entering chicken-and-egg territory for whether this goading of the crowd was a product of the bias against him – or the other way around.
Through this adversity, Djokovic has used that as fuel and become the greatest grand slam champion the sport has ever seen.
Novak Djokovic boasts a passionate support and continues to win others over (Photo: Reuters)Subsequently, some have softened to the Serbian as he enters the twilight of his career, but as he continues to redefine what is capable while pushing 40, he still deserves more respect.
He is one of the few superhumans still going in sport.
“I love watching greatness in making and continuing of the evolution of the greatness, like [Lionel] Messi, like LeBron James,” Djokovic said, when naming a couple others.
“I feel like we all are setting the bar higher and moving the needle of what people thought is possible in terms of level of competition and level of performance at a late age.”
He is also one of few active tennis players who possess, dare I use the Gen-Z term, aura – and is arguably the only one left at this grand slam heading into the second week.
Serena Williams came and went in a flash, albeit only after bringing a much-needed buzz to Wimbledon, while on the men’s side only Carlos Alcaraz is currently capable of charging Centre Court with an electricity the way Djokovic does.
This being an Alcaraz-less slam though means Djokovic now brings that sense of anticipation like no other. In the men’s draw he is the main draw, and while Jannik Sinner may have won last year, he still lacks that aura.
Wimbledon still need this pull for a little while longer. Ten years ago, Wimbledon’s second Monday saw Djokovic, Williams and Andy Murray play on Centre Court, and there is simply no combination capable of matching that blockbuster line-up this time around.
And come Tuesday, it will be Djokovic’s name many look out for when the last eight gets under way.
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James Gray: Serena Williams disrespected Wimbledon and paid the price Comment: The BBC is trying to prove Andy Murray wrong – and failingOnly Djokovic’s body can determine how long all this lasts for, but he is doing everything within his powers to stave off retirement.
“I can’t say I always enjoy it,” he said, when asked about recovery. “But throughout my career, I always try to look what can give me an edge.”
That much is clear, and in this week to come, how much longer we will have the honour of watching such greatness should become clearer too.
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