Novak Djokovic has matched Roger Federer's record for the most men's match wins at Wimbledon, reaching the last 16 with a four-set victory over Arthur Rinderknech. The 39-year-old Serb, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, triumphed 7-5 6-4 1-6 7-6(4) on Centre Court to tie Federer's tally of 105 wins at the All England Club.
Djokovic's Dramatic Path to Victory
Djokovic, chasing an eighth Wimbledon title, made hard work of the match against the 25th seed. After winning the first two sets, he dropped the third set 6-1, appearing to add intrigue for the crowd. He then recovered to win the fourth-set tiebreak 7-4, securing his place in the fourth round against Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin.
The Serb's performance included trademark showmanship: he sent a kiss to the heavens after a net cord and bowed after a diving volley. Earlier in the tournament, he jokingly requested a wedding invitation from a newly engaged couple in the stands.
Evolving Relationship with the Wimbledon Crowd
Djokovic's relationship with the British crowd has warmed since the retirements of Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. Once seen as a pantomime villain, he now enjoys greater support. With Murray retired and Jack Draper struggling with injuries, the crowd has embraced Djokovic, who has responded with playful interactions.
According to reports, Djokovic's deep-rooted hurt at being less adored than his rivals fueled his drive to claim the record for most major titles in men's tennis. Now, with the 'Big Four' era fading, he remains the last active member, carrying their legacy forward.
Rinderknech's Resurgence Falls Short
Rinderknech attempted a serve-and-volley masterclass reminiscent of Sergiy Stakhovsky's 2013 upset of Federer. After being broken twice in the third set, the Frenchman forced a tiebreak in the fourth, but Djokovic's experience prevailed. The match swung back to the seven-time champion as the tiebreak began, and Djokovic closed it out decisively.
