Novak Djokovic stepped onto Centre Court on Wednesday evening with his two children watching from the box, ready to face a man he has not lost to in six years. Stefanos Tsitsipas, the former world No 3 now ranked 87th, has not beaten Djokovic since 2019. Their second-round meeting is a rematch of two grand slam finals — the 2021 French Open and 2023 Australian Open — both won by Djokovic, who at 39 is chasing a record 25th major title.
Tsitsipas arrived in crisis. He has lost 14 of the 30 matches he has played this season, a decline that prompted him to sack his father as coach. Apostolos Tsitsipas was not in the player box tonight; his mother was. The Greek, who once sat alongside Djokovic in the world top three, is desperately searching for inspiration from his former self.
“Djokovic faces Tsitsipas while Serena Williams' doubles return at risk after knee injury”
Djokovic, meanwhile, recovered from a four-set fight with China’s Yibing Wu on Monday. He won the toss and chose to serve, looking sharp with pinpoint serving and a backhand winner down the line to seal the opening hold. Back-to-back aces followed. The 24-time grand slam champion is bidding for a first Wimbledon title since 2023.
Elsewhere on day three, defending champion Jannik Sinner and world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka returned to action. Two-time major champion Coco Gauff survived a major scare against Solana Sierra, winning a match tiebreak. But the women’s draw lost another seed: French Open champion Mirra Andreeva, the fifth seed, lost to former Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 in a thriller on Centre Court.
Serena Williams’ comeback is now in doubt after she “tweaked her knee” during last night’s defeat to Maya Joint on Centre Court. The 44-year-old, playing her first singles match in four years, is scheduled to play doubles with her sister Venus later this week — but that appearance now hangs in the balance.