Exhausted Novak Djokovic thrilled with Wimbledon quarter-final victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime - 'One of the best matches I was part of'
By Matt Jones
Updated 08/07/2026 at 07:38 GMT+1
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Novak Djokovic described his epic victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime as one of the best matches of his career after reaching yet another Wimbledon semi-final. The Serb is chasing tennis history at SW19 as he goes in search of a 25th Grand Slam crown.
Highlights: Djokovic, Gauff dig deep as Sinner races through to semi-finals
Video credit: SNTV
But he was made to work hard for his place in the last four by his Canadian opponent, eventually prevailing 7-6 3-6 6-3 6-7 7-6 (10-4).
Finishing just before the 11pm curfew, the clash lasted five hours and 14 minutes, making it the longest quarter-final in Wimbledon history.
And it took its toll on a visibly exhausted Djokovic, albeit he retained his sense of humour.
"Let's keep it short," he joked with interviewer Rishi Prasad in his on-court interview, "because I really have no energy left, my friend."
The Serb was clearly proud of his achievements though as he beamed from ear to ear after coming out on top.
He crashed down 29 aces over the course of the contest, more than double the amount landed by Auger-Aliassime, while crunching 74 winners.
That helped the match build to a crescendo as, with the pair locked at 6-6 in the final set, a super tie-break was required to split them.
Djokovic prevailed, opening up a healthy lead midway through it and eventually winning it 10-4.
"What can I say? These are the kind of moments that I still play tennis for," he said. "I wish it was finals, so I don't need to worry about how the body will feel tomorrow. But I'm happy. Happy that I won."
The Centre Court crowd were locked in to an epic tussle that ebbed and flowed.
Djokovic's victory was even more remarkable given he forced only four break points against the Auger-Aliassime serve.
Two of them were converted, the same number as his opponent managed from 13 attempts.
With both players being so strong behind their own serve, it is no wonder the match lasted as long as it did.
"I was telling the kids to go to sleep after the fourth, but they didn't want to listen," he laughed. "I'm glad they stayed, because it was honestly one of the best matches that I was part of on this court in my career."
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Djokovic will now have to shake off any tiredness because he is set for a showdown with defending champion Jannik Sinner in the last four.
The pair met at the same stage in 2025 and it was the Italian who came out on top, winning in straight sets.
The Serb is therefore looking for revenge in what will be his eighth successive Wimbledon semi-final, and a15th overall.
But reaching the last four means little to the Serb, who has his eyes on a bigger prize.
Should he win the tournament, he will equal Roger Federer's record of eight men's singles titles at the All England Club.
He will also win a 25th Grand Slam title, one more than Margaret Court, with whom Djokovic is currently tied.
"It's just another semi-final for me," he concluded. "I'm going to look at all the numbers and everything when I finish my career.
"Right now, it's all business. I still have to recover. I'm still in the tournament and I have the best player in the world in a few days' time."
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