'It's not normal': Djokovic wins longest Wimbledon quarter-final
Novak Djokovic beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in the longest Wimbledon men's quarter-final ever, a five-hour, 15-minute epic among the most gripping Wimbledon matches today. The 39-year-old Serbian won 7-6 (12-10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (10-4) to reach a record-extending 15th semi-final at SW19. Centre Court roared as Djokovic defied age and fatigue once again, setting up a blockbuster rematch with defending champion Jannik Sinner.
Key Takeaways
- Djokovic won the longest men's Wimbledon quarter-final in history, lasting five hours and 15 minutes.
- At 39, he beat third seed Auger-Aliassime, who is 14 years younger, in a fifth-set match tie-break.
- Britain's Davis Cup captain Leon Smith said playing at that level at Djokovic's age "is not normal."
- Auger-Aliassime said he had belief until the end but lost focus briefly in the third set.
- Djokovic next faces Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals, two wins from a 25th Grand Slam title.
Why is Djokovic's win being called 'not normal'?
The BBC analysis headline sums it up: what fans witnessed is extraordinary by any tennis standard. Leon Smith told BBC 5 Live: "To be able to come out and play this level of tennis at that age... it's not normal. It's really not normal."
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion chasing the standalone men's record, beat an opponent 14 years his junior in five sets at a Grand Slam quarter-final. He told reporters he can still battle younger players and beat them "at the tightest possible scoreline."
How long did the Djokovic vs Auger-Aliassime match last?
Wimbledon confirmed it as the longest quarter-final in tournament history. The ATP Tour reported the clash lasted five hours and 15 minutes, swinging one way then the other across three tie-breaks before a deciding 10-point super tie-break.
Djokovic recovered after receiving treatment for a leg issue in the first set and after squandering a break advantage in the fourth. Auger-Aliassime battled back from 0-2 down in the fourth to force a decider, but Djokovic prevailed six minutes before the 11 p.m. curfew.
What did Auger-Aliassime say after losing?
The Canadian insisted belief was never the issue. "To be honest, I had a lot of belief until the end," he told the ATP Tour. "I was trying to serve well, trying to not go for too much, trying to play the smartest shot at every moment."
He pointed to a brief lapse of focus in the third set after more than two and a half hours of intensity, and said Djokovic was more solid in the highest-pressure moments. For more headlines that blur the line between sport and spectacle, browse our Bizarre News & Florida Man coverage.
Who does Djokovic play next at Wimbledon?
Djokovic advances to a semi-final against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, the defending champion who beat him in straight sets at the same stage last year. The BBC noted Djokovic is the oldest men's semi-finalist at Wimbledon since Ken Rosewall in 1974.
Sinner has not dropped a set in his past four rounds, while Djokovic has played the longest match of the tournament so far. Djokovic will have two days to recover before Friday's clash — but at 39, every marathon carries a cost.