Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic showcased his resilience on Tuesday, overcoming physical discomfort to defeat Alexandre Muller 6-1, 6-7 (7-9), 6-2, 6-2 in the first round of Wimbledon 2025. The Serbian star, aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title, faced a challenging match on Centre Court but ultimately prevailed despite a mid-match health scare.
Djokovic started strong, dominating the first set with ease. However, the tide turned in the second set as Muller fought back to claim a tie-break victory. Early in the third set, Djokovic appeared visibly unwell, later revealing he struggled with a stomach issue. After a medical timeout, he regained his composure, winning 10 of the final 12 games to seal the match.
"I went from feeling my absolute best to my absolute worst in a matter of minutes," Djokovic said post-match. "I’m not sure if it was a stomach bug, but I’m glad I managed to recover and finish strong."
Meanwhile, third seed Alexander Zverev was eliminated in a dramatic five-set battle against Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech. The match, which spanned nearly 24 hours due to a suspension, ended in a 7-6 (7-3), 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 victory for Rinderknech. Zverev’s exit marks the fourth top-10 men’s player to fall in the tournament’s opening rounds.
In another notable match, world number one Jannik Sinner delivered a commanding performance, defeating compatriot Luca Nardi 6-4, 6-3, 6-0. Sinner, who suffered a heartbreaking loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the French Open final last month, looked sharp and focused as he advanced to the second round.
"New tournament, new chances," Sinner said. "I’m happy to be here and ready for the challenges ahead."
Djokovic’s next opponent will be Britain’s Dan Evans, as he continues his quest for a record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title. With 40 wins in his last 42 matches at the All England Club, the Serbian remains a formidable contender despite recent setbacks against Alcaraz in the past two finals.
As the tournament progresses, fans can expect more thrilling matches and potential upsets in what has already been an eventful Wimbledon.
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