Novak Djokovic moved another step closer to rewriting Wimbledon history on Friday after equalling Roger Federer’s all-time record of 105 match victories at the All England Club with a hard-fought four-set win over France’s Arthur Rinderknech.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion overcame the 25th-seeded Frenchman 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7/4) on Centre Court to book his place in the fourth round and match Federer’s long-standing record for the most men’s singles victories at the Championships.
The victory also saw the Serbian legend equal Federer’s Open Era record for the most appearances in the Wimbledon fourth round, reaching the last 16 for the 18th time in his illustrious career.
Reflecting on the milestone, Djokovic described the achievement as a special moment in one of the tournaments that has shaped his career.
“To be able to make history of this sport is a huge honour and privilege, especially here,” Djokovic said after the match.
“It’s always been a dream tournament for me here. I’m just trying to win that match on a given day. Today I was quite stressed out, with more tension than usual.”
The 39-year-old also joked about the possibility of breaking the record alongside his longtime rival, Roger Federer.
“I propose a match-up between Roger and me for 106. Let’s stop it here and call Roger to come,” he said, drawing laughter from the Centre Court crowd.
Djokovic will now face Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin on Sunday, with a place in his 66th Grand Slam quarter-final and 17th Wimbledon quarter-final at stake.
Looking ahead to the next round, the Serbian admitted his performance against Rinderknech was not as comfortable as his dominant second-round victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas but expressed confidence that he would improve.
“I think I’ve done everything I needed to do today under the circumstances, which weren’t as good for me as they were in the second round,” Djokovic said.
“I hope in a few days’ time I’ll come out at my best.”
Djokovic entered the contest seeking a return to outdoor conditions after playing his opening two matches under Centre Court’s retractable roof. The adjustment posed little difficulty for the former world number one, who committed only 16 unforced errors across much of the contest.
The opening two sets showcased Djokovic’s trademark efficiency as he edged a tightly contested first set before breaking early in the second to establish control of the match. He entertained spectators with a spectacular diving volley during the first set, acknowledging the applause with a theatrical bow before serving out the set.
Rinderknech, however, mounted an impressive response in the third set. The Frenchman, the last remaining French singles player in the men’s draw, struck 13 winners in a dominant display to claim the set 6-1 and briefly shift the momentum.
Despite the setback, Djokovic regained his composure in a high-quality fourth set that stayed on serve before heading into a tie-break. The decisive moment came on the first match point when the Serbian prevailed in a dramatic exchange at the net that left both players sprawled on the grass before Djokovic sealed victory.
The win keeps alive Djokovic’s bid for an eighth Wimbledon title and another Grand Slam crown after last year’s campaign ended in the semi-finals with a defeat to eventual champion Jannik Sinner—his first failure to reach the Wimbledon final since 2017.
For Rinderknech, the defeat ended a spirited run at the Championships. Although the Frenchman produced flashes of brilliance, particularly during his third-set resurgence, he fell short in his attempt to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam for only the second time in his career.
With Federer now levelled on 105 Wimbledon victories, Djokovic has the opportunity to stand alone atop one of the tournament’s most prestigious records when he faces Safiullin in the fourth round on Sunday.
