Djokovic passes Federer for most Wimbledon match wins as he reaches the last eight
Novak Djokovic (No 7) now stands alone at Wimbledon: his 7-6 (6), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over Roman Safiullin was the 106th match victory of his SW19 career, one more than Roger Federer. At 39, the Serb is into the quarter-finals and back on the hunt.
Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2026 | © Action Plus / PsNewz
No 7 seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia moved into the Wimbledon quarter-finals with a 7-6 (6), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over Russia’s Roman Safiullin on Sunday afternoon, a victory that carried him past Roger Federer for the most men’s singles match wins in the tournament’s history.
It was the 106th match win of Djokovic’s Wimbledon career, one more than the 105 with which Federer had led the all-time men’s list.
There was room for levity, too. Invited to reflect on the focus and concentration that have defined his career, Djokovic cut in with a smile. “And the outbursts as well,” he said. Pressed on what he meant, he added: “The outbursts. You know, the meltdowns. I had a few of those today as well. I apologise.”
Djokovic edges a tie-break then absorbs a Safiullin surge
The 39-year-old led 5-2 in the opening set before Safiullin, the world No 132, hauled him back, and Djokovic had to save two set points on his own serve before taking the tie-break. He broke clear in the second, only for Safiullin to claim the third, before Djokovic reasserted control in the fourth to close it out and reach a Wimbledon quarter-final once more.
He had come into the last 16 in commanding form, dropping a set only to France’s No 25 seed Arthur Rinderknech and to China’s Wu Yibing, while Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas failed to take a set off him.
Safiullin had been one of the stories of the fortnight. On his way to the second week he beat No 24 seed Joao Fonseca of Brazil in straight sets and came through two five-setters, the last of them a final-set tie-break against No 12 seed Andrey Rublev, before running into Djokovic.
Djokovic next plays the winner of No 3 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada and No 22 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.
