Novak Djokovic exploded with a loud shout toward his box, arms raised to the sky, and a wide grin as he celebrated another victory that kept him on a potential path to defending his Wimbledon crown. He ousted Andrey Rublev in a three-set thriller, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-3, and in doing so extended his remarkable run to 33 consecutive wins and secured a spot in the Grand Slam semifinals for the 46th time. With that progress, he matched Roger Federer for the same milestone, and his next assignment on Friday will be a clash with Italian talent Jannik Sinner.
I’m still at Wimbledon and that’s all I can think about. I like being the opponent to beat. It’s a privilege and playing at this level is a privilege. Pressure brings out the strongest emotions in me and fuels my best tennis. I know there are challengers who want to topple me, but they’re not succeeding right now. Djokovic later stepped away from the main court to hand out wristbands and towels, a small ritual that reflected his connection with the event and its fans.
Sinner then ruled over Russia’s Roman Safiullin with a steady finish: 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2. The Italian will be the final obstacle before the title match, eyeing his first Wimbledon crown and adding a new Grand Slam to his growing collection. Last season, Sinner faced Djokovic in the quarterfinals and forced a five-set comeback before losing 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. “It will be a different match. I will enjoy the moment,” Sinner said with a calm, confident smile before stepping onto the court again.
The 21-year-old Italian, climbing into the upper echelons of the sport, has taken a quiet, unassuming route to the semifinals. He entered as an unseeded player in the last stages of the tournament and has surprised many by navigating past several seasoned opponents in the ATP top 50 since his breakthrough. The path to this Grand Slam semifinal marks a milestone in a year that has shown he can compete with the very best. He is not just fighting for a place in the final; he is carving out a chapter that could redefine his career in the years ahead. His focus remains clear as he prepares for a high-stakes battle that could redefine his season.
The Wimbledon stage has once again highlighted Djokovic’s extraordinary consistency, a blend of relentless discipline and the ability to rise to the moment when it matters most. Rublev’s gritty resistance seemed to meet its match as Djokovic ramped up the pressure, delivering sharp serving, precise baseline play, and a mental edge that kept him in control during the decisive moments. For fans in Canada and the United States, the drama offered a vivid reminder of why Wimbledon remains one of the sport’s great spectacles: a tournament where.glory is earned through patience, tactical ingenuity, and the thrill of every point.