Novak Djokovic secured a memorable win in the longest quarterfinal in Wimbledon history against Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, lasting 5 hours and 15 minutes. The match ended with Djokovic prevailing 7-6 (12-10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (7-4), 7-6 (10-4) in a clash full of tension.
Adding to the excitement, an argument arose between Djokovic and tournament supervisor Denise Parnell over whether to close the roof. Djokovic opposed the closure after the second set, believing the exterior conditions were fitting for outdoor play. He emphasized, “You don’t want to get to 8.30pm? It’s 7.40pm now. We can play a whole another set outdoors. We’re an outdoor tournament.” The discussion became intense when Djokovic highlighted previous matches where the roof was kept open till 8.30pm, questioning the consistency of the rules.
Parnell referenced Jannik Sinner’s recent match, which Djokovic dismissed, insisting the focus should remain on his ongoing match. Ultimately, the decision was made to close the roof despite Djokovic’s protests. Auger-Aliassime echoed Djokovic’s concern, asking for confirmation during the dispute.
Having navigated the indoor conditions post-closure, Djokovic claimed the third set 6-3 and eventually secured his historic victory. This accomplishment marked the first time in over 50 years that Djokovic, now 39, reached the Wimbledon semifinals.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner is set to face Jannik Sinner, the defending champion, in the upcoming semifinal match on Friday. Stay informed with Fox News Digital’s sports updates on X and the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.