Novak Djokovic has now chalked up a century of Wimbledon match victories. He might chortle to himself one day that the London crowd even wanted him to win a few of them.
There’s never been much partisanship in the seven-time champion’s favour on Centre Court, even if most were behind him in his milestone, clinical straight sets victory over compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic.
And yet as he raised his racquet for a century to match the extraordinary, historic feat which only Martina Navratilova and Roger Federer have previously attained, one had to consider Djokovic entering the final, potentially most gratifying period of his career – that sweet spot granted to a precious few where appreciation of his legacy is possible while he is still writing new chapters.
The Serbian has played tougher opponents, obviously, but that could not diminish the pleasure of seeing an artist at his supreme best in the 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 win. At times, you felt like you were witnessing Michaelangelo putting the finishing touches to the Sistine Chapel.
The awe of the spectators – and also Kecmanovic – was never more apparent during those decisive moments when Djokovic broke serve for the first time late in set one, the period from which he eased into exhibition mode, or what some younger fans are now calling ‘boss level’.
A point in game ten of the first set had Djokovic orchestrating the applause for his magnificence, a standing ovation granted following the most impressive demonstration of the 38-year-old’s recovery powers.
After an encouraging, confident start, Kecmanovic was under duress for the first time, serving at deuce and hitting venomous strokes which against lesser mortals would have been winners. Djokovic greeted them all as a slight inconvenience.
Having retrieved a couple of drop shots and a lob, Djokovic seized the advantage with a high, backhand volley. Djokovic was grounded when the point was eventually won, his opponent striking a ball in frustration as if the match had been lost there and then. A career as a clairvoyant beckons because from then on, the momentum shift was irreversible.
Twenty minutes later Djokovic had two more breaks in the second set, which he duly won 6-0. The frequent yells of, ‘oh my God’ and ‘wow’ soundtracked another improbable passing shot dispatched as the elastication of every muscle was tested to its limit. Within two hours the match was over, a late loss of serve the only blemish as the crowd yearned for more tennis.
“Don’t panic Novak,” shouted a spectator as he momentarily stumbled.
Anyone banking on Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner replaying their French Open epic on finals day ought to rethink.
Djokovic is playing as well as anyone in the tournament, and in this form is capable of muscling in on the new generation’s rivalry as he did that of Federer and Rafael Nadal.
08:16 PM BST
Djokovic on 100th Wimbledon win
That sounds very nice. I am very grateful and privileged to be in this position. Tennis made me who I am and has given me incredible things in life. I never take anything for granted, especially at this age. I am still pushing myself to the limits and getting some splits and slides on the court. Wimbledon is a dream tournament of so many of us players. Any history here is a blessing.
On his celebration:
It is a dance called ‘Pump it up’ in England. It is something my daughter and I do together, she is the master. It is a little tradition and hopefully I can do it again.
08:11 PM BST
Djokovic reacts
I have enjoyed myself very much apart from the last couple of games. It was good to close it out in the end. There was some tension and things got a bit complicated. It is never easy playing a friend and fellow patriot.
We are really friends and team-mates and I wish him [Kecmanovic] the best.
08:03 PM BST
WATCH: How Djokovic reached the last-16
Done. Dusted. Djokovic.
The seven-time #Wimbledon champion produces an incredible performance to defeat fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3, 6-0, 6-4
Onto the next ➡️ pic.twitter.com/6WH4EQt5Rd
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2025
07:54 PM BST
Djokovic* 6-3, 6-0, 6-4 Kecmanovic
Ace No 15 for Djokovic to open the game. Followed by a double fault. He then glares at someone in the crowd chirping at him. He’s a bit irritated.
Another double fault and Kecmanovic moves to 15-30. Kecmanovic gets a look at a backhand down the line but Djokovic covers it off with a volley winner, 30-all.
Djokovic wide ace brings up his first match point. Djokovic backhand down the line, too hot for Kecmanovic.
GAME SET MATCH DJOKOVIC!!
07:49 PM BST
Djokovic 6-3, 6-0, 5-4 Kecmanovic*
All of a sudden, Kecmanovic is finding great depth on his shots and Djokovic is the one making the errors. He shows clever touch with a drop shot and finishes with a backhand volley winner, 40-15.
Good serve by Kecmanovic, short reply by Djokovic and Kecmanovic whips a forehand down the line for a winner.
On we go!
07:47 PM BST
Djokovic* 6-3, 6-0, 5-3 Kecmanovic
Serving for the match and a clash with Alex de Minuar, Djokovic starts the game by sending a forehand long. He responds with a perfectly placed second serve down the T, which is unreturned.
A bit of defiance from Kecmanovic as he hits one of his best backhands down the line, Djokovic stretches to meet it and sends a forehand long, 15-30.
Oh! Djokovic’s drive forehand is long despite the whole court being available. Two break points for Kecmanovic. A bit of complacency from the great man perhaps.
Djokovic backhand long and Kecmanovic does break. Wild applause from the Centre Court crowd. Is a comeback on?
07:42 PM BST
Djokovic 6-3, 6-0, 5-2 Kecmanovic*
Kecmanovic gets one more game on the scoreboard and at least makes Djokovic serve for a place in the last-16.
He hasn’t played poorly; he’s just been blown away today.
07:40 PM BST
Djokovic* 6-3, 6-0, 5-1 Kecmanovic
A penny for the thoughts of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. If anyone thought next Sunday’s final is guaranteed to be between them, Djokovic is making a very convincing argument to why that won’t happen.
He is sending a real message to the men’s draw.
07:34 PM BST
Djokovic 6-3, 6-0, 4-1 Kecmanovic*
If I were Kecmanovic, I’d be a bit annoyed by my coach, Viktor Troicki, grinning after every great shot from Djokovic. Kecmanovic was in control of the game and Djokovic pegs him back to deuce and threatens another break.
Too good from Djokovic as he drags Kecmanovic around then whips a forehand into the corner. Kecmanovic survives though when Djokovic nets a forehand on the run.
Great body serve by Kecmanovic, even better forehand return winner by Djokovic to earn a break point. And Djokovic steals the game with another forehand winner.
It has been one-way traffic.
07:28 PM BST
Djokovic* 6-3, 6-0, 3-1 Kecmanovic
For the first time in the match, Kecmanovic finds himself at 0-30 on the Djokovic serve. It doesn’t last long because Djokovic levels quickly when his backhand is too good for Kecmanovic.
Djokovic then pushed Kecmanovic out of court with a wide serve then flicks a backhand into the open court for a winner, 40-30. Djokovic nets a forehand to make it deuce. But that glimmer of hope is extinguished when Djokovic holds with a forehand winner.
07:22 PM BST
Djokovic 6-3, 6-0, 2-1 Kecmanovic*
Kecmanovic thought he might be able to pick up another game at 40-0 but Djokovic takes him to deuce with a backhand winner. He then earns a break point after overpowering Kecmanovic and finishing with a forehand winner.
Oh dear. Kecmanovic double faults. Djokovic breaks again. Djokovic has broken him.
07:20 PM BST
Djokovic* 6-3, 6-0, 1-1 Kecmanovic
The serving exhibition from Djokovic goes on as he holds to love again. Kecmanovic is getting nowhere near a break.
07:18 PM BST
‘Gallows humour from Kecmanovic’
Gallows humour from Kecmanovic as he celebrates winning his first game for half an hour. This is, as they say in the gaming world, ‘boss level’ from the seven-time champion.
07:17 PM BST
Third set: Djokovic 6-3, 6-0, 0-1 Kecmanovic*
No let-up in intensity from Djokovic with Kecmanovic desperate to end his streak of games. He gets to 40-30 when Djokovic nets a backhand return. And he finally gets another game when Djokovic sends a backhand into the tramlines.
07:13 PM BST
Djokovic* 6-3, 6-0 Kecmanovic
After 23 minutes, Djokovic completes the set with a backhand winner.
Ridiculous numbers in this set: Four aces, 79 per cent first serves in, 10/11 on those serves, 6/6 at the net, 13 winners and just two unforced errors.
That was special. No mercy from Djokovic to his mate.
07:10 PM BST
‘Doubt they’ll need to bother to close the roof now’
Doubt they’ll need to bother to close the roof now. It will be over in 20 minutes if Djokovic keeps this exhibition going.
07:09 PM BST
Djokovic 6-3, 5-0 Kecmanovic*
If it wasn’t already, it really is unravelling for Kecmanovic sadly. Djokovic brings up three break points at 0-40 and after squandering the first two, he finally takes it with a cute drop shot winner.
Relentless brilliance from Djokovic and he now serves for a two-set lead.
07:05 PM BST
Djokovic* 6-3, 4-0 Kecmanovic
I doubt Graeme Souness is yawning now. Djokovic is putting on a clinic and appears to be in a hurry, like he’s got a dinner reservation to make.
07:02 PM BST
Djokovic 6-3, 3-0 Kecmanovic*
It is starting to slip away from Kecmanovic as Djokovic eyes his sixth game in a row at 15-40. Kecmanovic stretches Djokovic wide and he replies with a stunning backhand winner up the line. Kecmanovic never moved for it. You imagine he’s seen that hundreds of times.
Djokovic breaks again.
06:57 PM BST
Djokovic* 6-3, 2-0 Kecmanovic
Break consolidated by Djokovic after a service hold to 15, which included a second serve ace. He is continuing to find his spots and frustrate Kecmanovic with his accuracy. Not a sniff of a break point for Kecmanovic.
06:55 PM BST
‘Djokovic’s natural understanding of when to ramp up the intensity’
There are bloodhounds who must watch in awe at Djokovic’s ability to know exactly when to pounce to take control of a match. It’s not just the timing of his shots which is perfect, but the natural understanding of when to ramp up the intensity.
Kecmanovic felt he was well in this ten minutes ago. Now he’s wondering if he can keep it going beyond 90 minutes.
06:54 PM BST
Second set: Djokovic 6-3, 1-0 Kecmanovic*
Dangerous times for Kecmanovic as Djokovic looks to stamp his authority on the match. A few too many Kecmanovic errors give Djokovic a break point.
And Djokovic breaks when Kecmanovic sends a backhand long.
06:51 PM BST
WATCH: Point of the tournament contender
“In all his years at Wimbledon, he won’t have played many finer rallies than that!” 🤩
Brilliant entertainment on Centre Court 👏👏👏#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/FFnSXR3Y1F
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 5, 2025
06:49 PM BST
‘Djokovic’s wizardry and powers of recovery’
Djokovic’s team are fashion co-ordinated, dressed in all white with identical caps, and even seem to be clapping at the same time every time he hits a winner.
They were synchronising their celebrations with the key break of serve as Djokovic’s wizardry and powers of recovery made the difference to take the set.
06:49 PM BST
Djokovic* 6-3 Kecmanovic
Djokovic started the match with an ace and he finishes the set with his sixth. Kecmanovic will think he hasn’t done much wrong and yet he is still behind.
That is the greatness of Djokovic.
06:45 PM BST
Djokovic 5-3 Kecmanovic*
In fairness, Kecmanovic is serving just as well as he moves serenely to 40-15. But he slices a backhand long and it’s deuce.
Good wide serve followed by a forehand winner from Kecmanovic. Big chance for Djokovic to bring up a break point but he drags a forehand into the net.
POINT OF THE TOURNAMENT. Incredible. Both players scrambling and diving all over the court, Djokovic overhead smash, Kecmanovic pushes a forehand down the line, Djokovic stretch volley winner to create a break point.
Saved by Kecmanovic as he gets on top of the rally, shows controlled aggression and draws the error. Kecmanovic forehand long, break point Djokovic.
Djokovic hustles on the baseline, makes Kecmanovic play an extra and he goes long with a backhand. Djokovic breaks and will serve for the set.
06:34 PM BST
Djokovic* 4-3 Kecmanovic
Metronomic serving from Djokovic as he rattles through another service game. He’s made 17/22 first serves, hit 16 winners and no double faults.
06:32 PM BST
‘Great to see Sir Geoff Hurst’
Royal Box appreciates the mechanics of a match which, let’s be fair, is yet to ignite. Great to see Sir Geoff Hurst near the back row. You never know, one day Sir Geoff might make it to the front row like His Royal Highness David Beckham earlier in the week. Are the seating plans on request, out of interest?
06:31 PM BST
Djokovic 3-3 Kecmanovic*
These two players know each other very well. There will be no secrets between. The match will be decided by how soon Djokovic takes control.
But so far, so good from Kecmanovic as he picks up another game with his first ace of the match.
06:28 PM BST
Djokovic* 3-2 Kecmanovic
Djokovic moves to 11 winners in five games with a forehand down the line. He is having to play quite well to keep Kecmanovic at bay here and he moves ahead with his fourth ace of the match.
06:24 PM BST
Djokovic 2-2 Kecmanovic*
A yawn from Graeme Souness in the Royal Box before Kecmanovic comes out to serve. Surely he will have been impressed at how Kecmanovic held serve to 15 to stay level with Djokovic.
06:21 PM BST
‘Feels a bit dark in Centre Court’
Feels a bit dark in Centre Court. Slightly surprised they started this match with the roof open because if it goes beyond two hours an interval looks likely.
06:19 PM BST
Djokovic* 2-1 Kecmanovic
Kecmanovic has made a decent start here and hits a cool forehand return winner, 30-15. Great rally, both players on the full stretch before Djokovic on the slide, plays a lovely angled backhand drop shot before holding.
06:15 PM BST
Djokovic 1-1 Kecmanovic*
Deep return by Djokovic down the middle earns a weak reply from Kecmanovic and Djokovic crushes a forehand into the corner, 15-30. Kecmanovic responds again with his own forehand winner, 30-30.
Too good from Djokovic as he turns a neutral rally into his advantage and whips a forehand into the corner for a winner.
A slip for Djokovic at the back of the court. The 38-year-old gets up and says he’s fine. Kecmanovic comes through the game to hold.
06:11 PM BST
First set: Novak Djokovic* 1-0 Miomir Kecmanovic (*denotes server)
Easy as you like for Djokovic as he moves to 40-0 with an ace and forehand winner. Kecmanovic shows what he is capable of with a drop shot winner and a forehand winner of his own.
Djokovic then pushes a forehand volley long and all of a sudden it is deuce. Slice of fortune for Djokovic after his backhand slice clips the net cord and drops on Kecmanovic’s side of the court.
Second ace for Djokovic seals the game.
06:05 PM BST
Here we go!
Djokovic has arrived on Centre Court as in previous rounds, not so much with a couple of bags but with enough luggage for a two-week holiday. He ought to go full throttle and come on with a sun hat and shades if he makes it to the final.
Today’s final instalment on Centre Court…
Miomir Kecmanovic vs Novak Djokovic 😎#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/iUi7QuFLHf
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 5, 2025
06:03 PM BST
Can Kecmanovic cause a major shock?
While Djokovic has been relatively comfortable, his opponent today has needed nine sets to reach this stage.
He beat Alex Michelsen in five sets, needing a 10-point tie-break to win. Then on Thursday, he beat Jesper De Jong, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.
If he can keep Djokovic on court for five sets, he will have done very well.
05:44 PM BST
Are fluffy balls at Wimbledon making the tennis less exciting?
How much fluff is the perfect amount of fluff? That may seem a strange question but in the world of professional tennis it is a live and controversial issue.
The quality and feel of the ball – and, in particular, its fluffiness – is having a significant impact on the game, and this year’s Wimbledon is no different.
“Honestly, that is probably the biggest difference I can notice comparing to maybe 10, 15 years ago,” said Novak Djokovic. “It’s the balls. The Slazenger balls used here in Wimbledon are good quality balls, but they do fluff up earlier or sooner than the ones we used 10 or 15 years ago.”
Simply put, fluffier balls result in slower shots. And slower shots generally result in longer rallies, longer matches and a more physically draining sport for the participants. Stylistically, fluffier balls also make it easier for players to sit at the baseline and trade shots with their opponents, rather than taking a more dynamic – and arguably more exciting – approach.
Click here to read more.
05:36 PM BST
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05:27 PM BST
Day six at Wimbledon: Djokovic resumes bid for eighth title
Hello and welcome to coverage from Wimbledon on day six with Novak Djokovic closing out the schedule on Centre Court.
The 38-year-old is bidding to equal Roger Federer’s men’s record eight Wimbledon titles and claim an unprecedented 25th grand slam crown.
To do that, he may need to overcome Jannik Sinner and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz but today his focus is on beating his fellow Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic.
On Thursday, Djokovic was at his ruthlessly efficient best in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-0 thrashing of Briton Dan Evans. Four more wins would put him in a seventh consecutive men’s final and he’s confident about his chances of reaching next Sunday’s main event.
He has reached the last six Wimbledon finals and clearly believes he will still be around on July 13.
“If I play like today, I feel like I have a very good chance against anybody, really, on the Centre Court of Wimbledon, a place where I maybe feel the most comfortable on any court,” Djokovic said. “Rod Laver Arena and Wimbledon Centre Court are the two courts where I’ve done so well throughout my career.
“I felt great physically, mentally sharp. Game-wise, I’m playing as well as I can, really, on grass. So hopefully I can keep it up. I met Gael Monfils in the locker room. He was waiting for his match. He kind of smiled at me and said, Good day in the office. At this age, he said, We need those types of days.
“Of course, it’s great. You want to keep on playing this way. It can be only one day, one match. Tomorrow or in two days can be a different story. I don’t know. I’m trying to be cautious and keep it going. But yeah, aspirations and objectives are very high to go all the way.”
Djokovic has a 3-0 winning record over his compatriot and Davis Cup teammate Kecmanovic.
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