Djokovic Advances at Wimbledon 2026, Extends First-Round Perfection

Does a 24-time Grand Slam champion still feel the pressure of a first-round match? On 29 June, Novak Djokovic proved the answer is yes. He faced unseeded Wu Yibing of China in a four-set contest that demanded far more than the round’s opening-match label might suggest.

The final score: 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 over just over three hours. It was his 21st Wimbledon campaign, and it extended something remarkable—a perfect first-round record at the All England Club that now stands at 21-0.

What stood out was Djokovic’s control under strain. Zero double faults across four sets. He saved all but one of the 11 break points Wu mounted, while breaking serve three times himself. The numbers tell only part of the story, though—the match itself was tighter than that.

Djokovic brings serious credentials to this tournament. Seven-time Wimbledon champion. Reigning Olympic gold medalist from Paris 2024. Twenty-four Grand Slam singles titles, making him one of tennis’s most decorated players. This marks his first grass-court outing of 2026.

Up next: a second-round clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece. The two have played 15 times, with Djokovic ahead 13-2 in their head-to-head record.