Wimbledon – Novak Djokovic Battles Past Yibing Wu in Hard-Fought First-Round Clash
Wimbledon – Novak Djokovic opened his Wimbledon campaign with a determined victory, overcoming a spirited challenge from China’s Yibing Wu in a gripping first-round encounter at the All England Club on Tuesday. The seven-time Wimbledon champion secured a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 win after three hours and 11 minutes to extend his remarkable unbeaten record in opening-round matches at the tournament.
Wu Pushes Djokovic Throughout the Contest
Although Djokovic entered the match as the clear favorite, Wu produced an impressive display that kept the contest competitive from start to finish. The Chinese player, ranked No. 102 in the world, played with confidence on Centre Court, striking the ball cleanly and producing a series of winners that repeatedly tested the Serbian star.
Djokovic claimed the opening set, but Wu refused to fade away. His aggressive shot-making and fearless approach helped him level the match by taking the second set, drawing loud support from the Centre Court crowd as his confidence continued to grow.
Missed Opportunities Changed the Match
The momentum of the contest shifted early in the second set when Djokovic was unable to capitalize on early break-point opportunities. Instead of building a comfortable lead, the Serbian found himself locked in a tightly contested battle as Wu raised his level and continued attacking with conviction.
Every service game became increasingly important, and Wu’s willingness to take risks forced Djokovic to remain focused throughout the encounter. The competitive nature of the match highlighted the quality of both players despite the difference in rankings.
Experience Makes the Difference
With the Centre Court roof closed before the third set, Djokovic responded with the resilience that has defined much of his career. Competing in only his fifth tournament of the season after recovering from a shoulder injury, he relied on his experience during the decisive moments.
A crucial late break in the third set allowed Djokovic to regain control of the match. In the fourth set, he faced sustained pressure on serve, successfully saving six break points, including three consecutive chances from 0-40, before closing out the contest.
The victory improved Djokovic’s outstanding Wimbledon first-round record to 21 wins without a defeat, underlining his consistency at the grass-court major.
Limited Season but Strong Wimbledon Start
Djokovic is making his first appearance on grass this season and has played only a handful of tour-level events in 2026. His strongest result this year came at the Australian Open, where he advanced to the final before turning his attention to the grass-court season.
Despite limited competitive action, the Serbian demonstrated his ability to raise his level during the most important stages of the match, a quality that has helped him collect 101 tour-level singles titles during his career.
Djokovic Praises Opponent After Victory
Following the match, Djokovic praised Wu for delivering an outstanding performance and acknowledged how difficult the contest had been.
He said Wu deserved significant credit for applying constant pressure and admitted there were moments when the match could easily have gone in his opponent’s favor, particularly during the fourth set. Djokovic added that tight matches at this level are often decided by only a few points and credited two decades of experience for helping him navigate those critical situations. He also joked that combining his experience with the energy of a younger body would make life considerably easier as he continues competing at the highest level.