“Vintage Djokovic” dismantles Tsitsipas to reach the last 32
Novak Djokovic produced a vintage display to dismantle Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, reaching the Wimbledon last 32 without dropping serve, with Arthur Rinderknech next.
Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas, Wimbledon 2026 | © Ch; Caillaud / PsNewz
Serbian seventh seed Novak Djokovic rolled back the years on Wednesday evening, producing a commanding performance to beat Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 and reach the third round of Wimbledon in an hour and 38 minutes.
The framing was not his own. It was the on-court interviewer who reached for the word “vintage,” telling Djokovic the crowd had just witnessed a display worthy of his best years – and Djokovic, amused, embraced it. “I like the terminology,” he said. “It’s nice – it brings back the best days.”
It was the kind of display that once decided the biggest matches between the pair, and against an opponent he has met in Grand Slam finals, Djokovic looked close to his imperious best. He was not broken all match while converting four of his five chances on the Tsitsipas serve.
Backed by 12 aces and 33 winners, and winning 88 per cent of points behind his first serve, Djokovic never allowed his opponent a foothold.
The 39-year-old was clearly enjoying himself. “You feel very happy and satisfied on the court when you’re playing this way,” he said afterwards. “Once you get the momentum going, the level goes up. That return game when I went 5-2 up was one of the best I’ve played in a while – I just went for my shots, a bit more relaxed, less tension in my head.”
I try not to take these moments for granted, playing on Centre Court, my childhood dream
I feel very privileged to be walking out on this court at 30-plus. Age is just a number
There was reflection, too, on the privilege of still competing at the highest level deep into his fourth decade. “I try not to take these moments for granted, playing on Centre Court, my childhood dream,” he said. “I feel very privileged to be walking out on this court at 30-plus. Age is just a number, and a few people who know something about that are in the Royal Box,” he added, nodding to Masters champions Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose among the watching guests.
The win extended one of the more remarkable streaks in the game: it was Djokovic’s 17th consecutive appearance in the Wimbledon third round. Chasing a record 25th major singles title and an eighth Wimbledon crown, he showed few signs of slowing.
Djokovic, ranked No 8, will next face French 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech for a place in the fourth round.
