Djokovic Battles Through Four-Set Match Against Rinderknech
Novak Djokovic secured a hard-fought victory over Arthur Rinderknech with a scoreline of 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (4), extending his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam title. The match, played on Centre Court, captivated the 15,000-strong crowd with its intensity and dramatic moments.
In the final moments, Djokovic emulated a young Boris Becker, diving through the air to execute a backhand lob volley at match point. Simultaneously, Rinderknech slipped and fell at the net, leaving both players on the ground as the crowd rose to their feet in appreciation of the thrilling contest. This encounter quickly became a first-week classic.
Despite Rinderknech’s modest grass-court record of 15 wins and 18 losses, his performance challenged Djokovic throughout. The Frenchman’s 6ft 5in stature, powerful serve, and unexpectedly soft hands tested the Serbian champion. Remarkably, Rinderknech won more points overall, 117 to Djokovic’s 108, and delivered 21 aces compared to Djokovic’s 15. He also hit 67 winners, significantly more than Djokovic’s 40.
Nevertheless, Djokovic managed to prevail in the third-round match, demonstrating resilience and tactical skill. Reflecting on the final point, Djokovic expressed relief:
“Well, I saw him slip and fall down, so I was thinking: ‘Please, just stay down’ for that last shot. I am just really relieved to come through.”
Djokovic’s Pursuit of a Historic 25th Grand Slam
Following a commanding second-round win over Stefanos Tsitsipas, speculation has grown that this Wimbledon tournament represents Djokovic’s final significant opportunity to surpass Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles. With key rivals such as Carlos Alcaraz sidelined by injury, Jannik Sinner struggling with form, and Alexander Zverev’s poor grass-court record, the path appears open for Djokovic, now 39 years old.
However, Djokovic acknowledged the physical toll of his recent match, emphasizing the importance of conserving energy for upcoming challenges:
“It took a bit of luck and a bit of skill in the end, but that was also to do with his quality. He is very tall, he hits incredible serves and he deserves a round of applause for his performance, no doubt.
“I’ve never faced him before so obviously I was coming into the match knowing that I was facing someone who is already a top player and doesn’t have much to lose. Last year, he beat Zverev on Centre Court, so he clearly loves the big stage and he doesn’t get overwhelmed by the occasion. He showed that today.”
Match Dynamics and Turning Points
Rinderknech, known for his powerful serve, surprised Djokovic early with a delicate drop shot on the opening point, which Djokovic did not pursue, allowing the Frenchman to take the first game to love. Djokovic appeared to decipher his opponent’s game plan and maintained control after securing the first two sets.
However, Rinderknech mounted a strong comeback in the third set, breaking Djokovic’s serve twice and capitalizing on the Serb’s loss of balance. Djokovic found himself trailing 5-0, facing the prospect of his first-ever bagel on grass. Many spectators who had briefly left after the second set missed this dramatic shift in momentum.
“There was a lot of slipping and sliding, drop shots, and cat and mouse play,” Djokovic said. “He has that variety because he has a big powerful game. He was also changing the pace, so he took me out of my comfort zone. I’m just really relieved to come through this one.”
The fourth set featured no service breaks, culminating in a tense tie-break. The crowd, now fully engaged, witnessed a battle of nerves as the score moved evenly from 3-3 to 4-4. Djokovic eventually gained a 5-4 lead, and after more than three hours of play, Rinderknech’s composure faltered with a wide forehand, handing Djokovic the match.
Following the victory, Djokovic celebrated the milestone of equaling Roger Federer’s record of 105 men’s singles wins at Wimbledon, a mark surpassed only by Martina Navratilova’s 120 singles victories.
“To be able to make history of this sport is a huge honour and privilege, and particularly here,” Djokovic said. “I am not interested in 105 or 106, I am just trying to win that match on a given day. I was quite stressed out. I had more tension than usual. But sometimes you just have to find a way to win, and I’m happy I did that today.”
Looking Ahead
Djokovic endured another challenging match reminiscent of his first-round encounter but emerged victorious. He now prepares to face the big-serving Russian Roman Safiullin on Sunday. Despite the physical demands of this match, Djokovic’s quest for his 25th Grand Slam title remains intact.
