Djokovic equals Evert, goes past Federer after advancing to Wimbledon 2025 semi-finals

Novak Djokovic kept his quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam alive after defeating Flavio Cobolli 6-7 (6-8), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 in a Wimbledon quarter-final meeting lasting over three hours on Wednesday. In the process, the 38-year-old not only set up a dream semi-final showdown with world No 1 Jannik Sinner, he also equalled a record held by American tennis legend Chris Evert.

His victory over the 23-year-old Italian on Wednesday helped Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, go level with 18-time Grand Slam winner Evert for the most semi-final appearances (52) in the Majors in the ‘Open Era’.

The Serbian superstar also went past former rival and 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer for the most men’s singles semi-final appearances at the grass-court Grand Slam. Djokovic’s meeting with Sinner on Friday will be his 14th at the Wimbledon last-four while Federer, who watched him defeat Alex de Minaur in the fourth round live at the Centre Court earlier this week, had made 13 appearances at this stage.

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Djokovic made to sweat for his victory by young Cobolli

Djokovic was in for a rude jolt from Cobolli as he lost the opening set that went into the tie-break but bounced back the very next set, with his class and athleticism despite his age proving too big a hurdle for his young opponent.

“It means the world to me that I’m still able at 38 to play the final stages of Wimbledon,” Djokovic, who enthralled a Centre Court that had Queen Camilla watching from the Royal Box alongside actor Hugh Grant, said after the match.

“Thank you for cheering for my age. I really appreciate it. It’s beautiful. Makes me feel very young.

“And I guess another thing that makes me feel very young is competing with youngsters like Cobolli today,” he added.

The moment @DjokerNole sealed his 102nd #Wimbledon win 😤 pic.twitter.com/wXjuwEHMVK

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 9, 2025

Djokovic had an awkward slip on the grass while serving for victory, but assured the Centre Court and the rest of the tennis world that it will not cause him any physical trouble ahead of his highly-anticipated showdown against Sinner.

“I had a nasty slip, but that’s what happens when you play on the grass,” he said. “I’m going to visit this subject now with my physio and hopefully I’ll be well in two days.”

Sinner has won each of his last four meetings against Djokovic, including in the semi-finals of the French Open last month.