Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic admitted the quarterfinal win against Felix Auger Aliassime was one of the best matches he has played at SW19. The veteran Serbian registered a thrilling 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-4) victory over the 25-year-old Auger-Aliassime on Tuesday.
Djokovic had to battle for five hours and 15 minutes against the Canadian in a match, that saw the momentum shift like a pendulum. However, Djokovic was able to hold his ground when it mattered the most and got over the line in a marathon match.
“It’s exciting to be part of such an epic match that was played over five hours,” Djokovic said in his post-match press conference after his win “Just one of the best matches I was honestly part of in Wimbledon. I don’t recall playing this long any match. Maybe [the] Roger final 2019 comes close in terms of the time and length.
“But it was really super even. Anyone’s game. Felix really played [at] a high level. He dropped his level a little bit in that super tie-break. I used all my opportunities and hung in there, played the right shots. That was enough.”
The match finished just six minutes prior to Wimbledon’s 11 p.m. curfew, with the fans rising to praise both players after a memorable contest.
“The crowd was up on their feet, particularly the last 30 minutes of the match,” Djokovic said. “They also recognised how special the moment is of us battling the curfew a few minutes earlier than 11. [I’m] just very proud to come out as a winner.”
Djokovic, 39, said he feels proud when he is able to beat players who are 15 years younger than him in the biggest tournaments of the tour.
“At this stage, I’m still able to battle these young guys that [are] 15 years [younger] than me, that I’m able to beat them at the tightest possible scoreline. Of course, in a sense, it is really a nice surprise,” Djokovic said. “But at the same time, I always have the highest expectations for myself. I can be very self-critical, very hard on myself. At the same time, I try to also enjoy moments like this.”
Djokovic will face World no.1 Jannik Sinner in the semifinal at Centre Court on Friday.
