Novak Djokovic, the reigning Wimbledon champion and a dominant force in men’s tennis, demonstrated his resilience and skill once again by advancing to his seventh consecutive semi-final at the prestigious tournament. In a gripping match that unfolded on Centre Court, Djokovic faced Italian player Giulio Cobolli and triumphed with a scoreline of 6-7(8) 6-2 7-5 6-4. However, the night was not without its dramatic turns, particularly concerning the health and safety of the seven-time champion.
During a critical moment on his second match point, Djokovic unexpectedly slipped on the grass court, falling unceremoniously onto the turf. Witnessing the incident with bated breath were his wife, Jelena, and their son, Stefan, who visibly reacted with their hands covering their mouths, fearing the worst for the champion. Despite the worrying fall and brief concern for his physical state, Djokovic showcased his characteristic determination by quickly resuming play and subsequently winning two more points, sealing his spot in the tournament’s semi-finals for the 14th time.
Reflecting on his slip, Djokovic noted the inherent risks associated with playing on grass courts, stating, “I had a nasty slip but that is what happens on the grass.” He acknowledged that despite falling less frequently this year, the nature of his movement on this surface—characterized by sliding and quick shifts—could often lead to such unfortunate mishaps. However, he remained optimistic about his recovery, mentioning plans to consult with his physiotherapist and expressing hope that everything would be fine in the coming days.
As he gears up for his next match against Jannik Sinner, a player he bested in their previous grass encounters at Wimbledon in both 2022 and 2023, Djokovic is excited about the prospect of another compelling clash. “Wimbledon will always be the most special tournament we have in our sport, in my opinion and many other players’ opinions,” he asserted. At 38 years old, his ability to compete at the highest level during the tournament means a great deal to him, especially as he faces younger players. “Competing with youngsters makes me feel young, like Cobolli today. I enjoy running and sliding around the court,” he remarked, looking forward to what he anticipates will be a “great match-up” against Sinner.
Initially, Djokovic entered the match against Cobolli as the overwhelming favorite. However, the first set proved challenging for the veteran player. Even though he capitalized on an early break to go up 5-3, he was unable to close out the first set successfully, mirroring his struggles in the opening round against Alexandre Muller. Cobolli mounted an impressive comeback, breaking back to love and showcasing his own talent by saving a set point, forcing a tiebreak. With a sudden gain in momentum, Cobolli adeptly clinched the first set, racing to a 5-2 lead in the breaker before ultimately taking it 7-6(8).
Once the second set commenced, Djokovic quickly found his rhythm, dismantling Cobolli’s game in a swift 26 minutes, which was less than half the duration of the first set. He secured two breaks and achieved three love holds, demonstrating his mastery of the court. The trend of domination continued into the third set with Djokovic breaking his opponent early. Although Cobolli made efforts to reclaim his place, careless errors paved the way for Djokovic to regain serve without issue.
In the final set, the crucial ninth game saw Cobolli broken once more, thereby allowing Djokovic the opportunity to serve for the match. Despite the alarming slip towards the end, which caused a reaction of concern among spectators, Djokovic quickly reassured his fans by clinching the final points needed to advance to the semi-finals. As the excitement builds for his upcoming match against Sinner, all eyes will be on Djokovic as he attempts to defend his Wimbledon title yet again.
Viewers can catch all the thrilling action from the Wimbledon singles finals, along with daily highlights, through TNT Sports and discovery+.
