Novak Djokovic is back on the grass and back in pursuit of history. The 39-year-old Serb opened his Wimbledon 2026 campaign with a hard-fought 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 victory over China's Wu Yibing on Monday, extending his remarkable unbeaten run to 21 first-round matches at SW19.
The win keeps Djokovic on course for that elusive 25th Grand Slam title, a record he has been chasing since being tied with Margaret Court's 24 majors following the 2023 US Open. But it was anything but straightforward across three hours and 12 minutes on a buzzing, roof-closed Centre Court.
Djokovic arrived having not played competitively since a third-round exit to Brazilian teenager João Fonseca at the French Open, and that rustiness showed. He admitted afterward it "felt really challenging," adding that it "didn't feel like the first round" given the intensity Wu brought. Wu, who was cheered on with drawn-out chants reminiscent of the Holger Rune atmosphere from 2024, matched Djokovic in lengthy baseline exchanges and snatched the second set at 6-5 before the Serb regrouped impressively.
The fourth set was particularly nervy, Djokovic faced six break points before converting a crucial break at 4-4 and serving out the match. More unforced errors crept in, but sheer competitive resilience carried him through.
Three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe was fulsome in his praise on commentary, marveling at how Djokovic still brings "fire, intensity, desire and love" to every match even at this stage of his career.
Off-court drama added to the spectacle, a marriage proposal in the crowd prompted Djokovic to cheekily request an invitation. Only on Centre Court.
TennisDraw users overwhelmingly backed Djokovic to advance, though few predicted it would take four sets to do so.
