'It is not normal': Djokovic wins longest Wimbledon QF ever
Novak Djokovic beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in a five-hour, 15-minute epic—the longest Wimbledon quarter-final ever—winning 7-6 (12-10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (10-4) to reach his record 15th semi-final. For anyone tracking Wimbledon matches today, the 39-year-old's Centre Court survival act redefines what ageing athletes can still do at a Grand Slam.
The seven-time champion prevailed on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, in a match that swung wildly before a packed Centre Court crowd. Djokovic sealed victory six minutes before the 11 p.m. curfew, then raised his arms, embraced a spent Auger-Aliassime, and even danced in tribute to his daughter. He now faces defending champion Jannik Sinner with a 25th major title in sight.
Key Takeaways
- Djokovic and Auger-Aliassime played for 5 hours and 15 minutes—the longest men's singles quarter-final in Wimbledon history.
- The Serbian won 7-6 (12-10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 7-6 (10-4) in a fifth-set match tie-break after three tie-breaks across the contest.
- At 39 years and 38 days, Djokovic is the oldest men's semi-finalist at Wimbledon since Ken Rosewall in 1974.
- Auger-Aliassime said he had belief until the end but credited Djokovic's consistency in the tightest moments.
- Djokovic advances to a semi-final rematch with Jannik Sinner after playing the tournament's longest match so far.
What Happened in the Longest Wimbledon Quarter-Final?
The match began with drama when Djokovic called for a medical timeout during the opening set. He still took the first set on a 12-10 tie-break, only for Auger-Aliassime to level at one set apiece with a commanding second-set display.
Djokovic regrouped to lead two sets to one, briefly arguing with officials when the Centre Court roof closed at 7:40 p.m. after the Canadian had squared the match. He pushed ahead again in the third, then squandered a break in the fourth as Auger-Aliassime forced a decider with another tie-break.
With both men holding serve through the fifth, a 10-point match tie-break decided it. Djokovic surged to a 9-4 lead after a 22-shot rally ended with Auger-Aliassime spraying a forehand wide. One point later, Centre Court erupted. As Wimbledon officials confirmed, it was the longest quarter-final the Championships have ever seen.
Why Did Commentators Say Djokovic Is 'Not Normal'?
BBC Sport's analysis captured the disbelief surrounding the result. A 39-year-old beating a 25-year-old world No. 3 across five sets at a Grand Slam is, as the coverage put it, simply not normal—especially after more than five hours of chasing every ball, sliding on grass, and still firing second serves at 122 mph.
Britain's Davis Cup captain 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." Fans shifted allegiance through the night, roaring for the underdog before swinging behind Djokovic as he pulled away in the final tie-break.
Djokovic called it "one of the best matches I was honestly part of at Wimbledon," comparing its intensity to his 2019 final against Roger Federer. Stories like this sit at the edge of sport and spectacle—exactly the kind of headline that belongs in our Bizarre World section.
What Did Auger-Aliassime Say After the Defeat?
The Canadian third seed was gracious but gutted. "Amazing fight, amazing battle with a legend of our sport," he told reporters, according to the ATP Tour. "To be honest, I had a lot of belief until the end."
Auger-Aliassime admitted he lost focus for one game in the third set after more than two and a half hours of concentration. He praised Djokovic's ability to stay solid when it mattered most, noting that in tie-breaks the Serbian either serves brilliantly or forces rivals to play one extra shot until a mistake arrives.
Can Djokovic Recover Before Facing Sinner?
That is the looming question. Djokovic has two days to rest, but he has already played the longest match of Wimbledon 2026. Sinner, meanwhile, has not dropped a set in his past four rounds.
Last year, a late fall in Djokovic's quarter-final hampered his movement and Sinner beat him in straight sets in the semi-finals. The Serbian will hope history does not repeat—but after Tuesday's marathon, even his legendary endurance faces a stern test.