Novak Djokovic has admitted to being taken aback by a comment from Queen Camilla during their private conversation at Wimbledon last year, though he has steadfastly refused to disclose the specifics of their exchange. The seven-time Wimbledon champion met the Queen before his quarter-final match against Flavio Cobolli in 2025, a match he went on to win in four sets on Centre Court. The Serbian tennis star described the encounter as a great honour and privilege, noting that it was a non-tennis related comment that caught him off guard.
Djokovic Keeps Royal Conversation Confidential
When pressed by reporters about the content of his chat with Queen Camilla, Djokovic remained tight-lipped. "I prefer not sharing that. It's private," he said. "We had a nice exchange. I was actually surprised with her comment and a question that she asked. It was non-tennis related. She was very pleasant. Very, very pleasant." The 39-year-old added that it was a phenomenal occasion for Wimbledon to host the Royal Family and that it was beautiful to see their continued interest in tennis.
During their meeting, Camilla was overheard saying to Djokovic: "Oh what a treat, how nice to see you. It's lovely to see you." She also mentioned she had her "fingers crossed" for him, to which Djokovic replied: "It will be my great honour. I appreciate it." The Queen returned to the All England Club earlier this week, while Djokovic is preparing for his semi-final clash against defending champion Jannik Sinner on Friday.
Djokovic's History with Royalty at Wimbledon
This was not the first time Djokovic has interacted with royalty at Wimbledon. He previously met the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2010. More recently, after the 2024 Wimbledon final, he shared a heartfelt moment with Princess Kate, who presented him with his runner-up trophy. The Princess of Wales was making a rare public appearance after revealing her cancer diagnosis in March 2024; she later entered remission in January 2025. Djokovic said of that encounter: "Yes, it was of course a privilege to be in her presence again. I've said to her that it is very nice to see her in good health. She seems to be in good health. That's obviously very positive news for everyone in this country but also for Wimbledon."
Chasing History at SW19
Djokovic is aiming to equal Roger Federer's record of eight Wimbledon titles and secure an outright 25th Grand Slam championship. His last triumph at SW19 came in 2022. The semi-final against Jannik Sinner, who is the defending champion, promises to be a tough test as Djokovic seeks to add to his legacy on Centre Court.
