"It sounds very nice," Djokovic said post-match, smiling. "Particularly at this age, I am still going strong and still trying to compete with the younger players. Wimbledon is a dream tournament. Any history I make here, I am blessed."
Discover This: Tyrese Haliburton: The Unlikely Superstar Driving the Pacers’ Playoff Surge
A Vintage Djokovic Performance
Djokovic’s performance was not just historic, it was clinical. The 37-year-old hit 60 winners and committed just 19 unforced errors across one hour and 48 minutes of commanding tennis. His ability to combine spin, subtlety, and precision with relentless baseline power left Kecmanovic — ranked world No. 49 — struggling for answers.
The first set was competitive until 4-3, when Djokovic seized momentum with what may be the rally of the tournament — a 14-shot masterpiece that included drop shots, net exchanges, a lob, and a spectacular diving backhand volley from Djokovic that had Centre Court on its feet. Even Kecmanovic, smiling in admiration, playfully hit the ball at his friend after the point.
"It was kind of like ecstasy, to be honest," Djokovic said about the rally. "That diving backhand volley at 4-3 deuce — it’s one of those points you just can't wait to see again. You live for moments like that."
Complete Domination in the Second Set
After securing the first set, Djokovic shifted into overdrive, blitzing through the second set in just 24 minutes, conceding only five points on serve and hitting 13 winners with only two errors. Kecmanovic had no foothold in the match and even raised his arms in mock celebration when he finally held serve to start the third set.
Don’t Miss This: Suni Lee's Olympic Beauty Game: The Gymnast Talks Glow-Ups, Glue-Downs, and Gold-Medal Glam
But Djokovic wasn’t done. At 5-1 in the final set, a delicate lob volley showed his finesse was just as intact as his physicality. Although a momentary lapse — possibly due to a rowdy crowd — allowed Kecmanovic to reclaim a few games, Djokovic quickly refocused to close out the match in style.
Next Up: Alex de Minaur
Djokovic now advances to the last 16, where he will face Australia’s Alex de Minaur, who overcame August Holmgren in straight sets earlier on Saturday.
"I enjoyed myself very much, except the last couple of games," Djokovic admitted. "A bit of tension at the end — it's never easy playing a compatriot and friend. But I’m pleased with my performance. It’s a great milestone."
A Wimbledon Legacy Still Growing
Remarkably, Djokovic has not lost a match at Wimbledon to any player other than Carlos Alcaraz since 2017 — a run that spans 45 consecutive wins when excluding his retirement due to injury that year. And based on his current form, few would bet against him extending that streak even further.
While bookmakers see Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as co-favourites for the 2025 Wimbledon title, Djokovic’s ruthless performance serves as a warning: he remains very much in contention for an eighth Wimbledon crown and a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.
Write him off at your peril.
Editor’s Pick: Beauty, Balance & Bronze: Paralympian Brittni Mason’s Game-Ready Glam Routine
