Novak Djokovic defied age and gravity to secure his record 14th Wimbledon semifinal berth on Wednesday, overcoming a dramatic mid-match fall and spirited challenge from Italy's Flavio Cobolli. The 38-year-old tennis legend triumphed 6-7 (6), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 in a match that tested both his physical resilience and strategic brilliance.
After sliding into an awkward split during match point – a moment he later described as "nasty" – Djokovic showcased trademark determination, immediately recovering to clinch victory. The Serbian star acknowledged the toll of competition at this stage of his career, telling reporters: "My body is not the same today like it was before. I'm hoping in the next 24, 48 hours… I'll be able to play at my best."
The victory sets up a high-stakes semifinal clash against world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who holds a recent 4-0 advantage over Djokovic. However, the seven-time Wimbledon champion remains undefeated against the Italian star on grass courts, having prevailed in their 2022 and 2023 Wimbledon meetings.
Djokovic's performance blended power (13 aces) and precision (22 unforced errors), though not without moments of visible frustration. At one point, he vented by striking his shoe with his racket – a rare display of emotion from the typically composed athlete.
A potential final against Carlos Alcaraz looms should both advance, renewing their rivalry after the Spaniard's consecutive Wimbledon final victories in 2023 and 2024. For now, all eyes remain on Friday's semifinal, where Djokovic aims to extend his quest for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title.
