Novak Djokovic had to dig deeper than expected to overcome a determined Yibing Wu in his Wimbledon 2026 opener.
The Serbian superstar dropped a set and was forced into a grueling battle lasting more than three hours, eventually prevailing 3–1 (6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4). With the win, Djokovic booked his place in the second round, where he will face Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas on Wednesday in one of the standout matches of the tournament.
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – June 29, 2026 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and China’s Yibing Wu shake hands after their first round match REUTERS/Toby Melville
Match Breakdown
Djokovic started strongly, breaking serve in the very first game to seize early control. Wu, however, refused to back down and pushed hard late in the set, earning two chances to level. The 24-time Grand Slam champion stayed composed, saving both break points and holding serve to close out the set 6-4 for a 1–0 lead.
In the second set, the Chinese player raised his level significantly. After surviving early pressure from Djokovic—including saving a double break point in the opening games—Wu struck at the crucial moment, breaking in the 12th game. He then closed out the set 7-5, capitalizing on unforced errors from the Serbian to level the match.
Djokovic responded in trademark fashion in the third set. The two players stayed locked together until 4-4, before the Serbian struck decisively with a break in the ninth game. He then needed four set points to finally seal it 6-4, reclaiming the lead.
The fourth set proved the most demanding. Wu continued to trouble Djokovic, who was forced to save a total of six break points across two service games. Once he escaped those danger moments, Djokovic delivered the decisive break for 5-4. He then served out the match moments later, closing it 6-4 to secure his passage into the second round—where Stefanos Tsitsipas now awaits.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, meanwhile, began his Wimbledon campaign with a comfortable victory, just hours after his final split with his father was confirmed.
In the first round of the third Grand Slam of the season, the world No. 87 Tsitsipas defeated 25-year-old Frenchman Hugo Gaston, ranked No. 118, in straight sets 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 after 1 hour and 30 minutes of play.
This was his first grass-court win of the season, and with nine main-draw appearances at Wimbledon, he now holds the record as the Greek player with the most entries in the tournament’s history.
