Djokovic Wins Wimbledon Opener After Tough Battle

The seven-time Wimbledon champion overcomes a gritty challenge from Alexandre Muller and stomach issues to keep his 25th Grand Slam dream alive

Novak Djokovic opened his 2025 Wimbledon campaign with a gritty four-set victory over France’s Alexandre Muller, navigating a mid-match health scare and a tiebreak stumble to eventually win 6-1, 6-7(7), 6-2, 6-2 and advance to the second round on Tuesday.

Seeded sixth at this year’s Championships, the Serbian legend is chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, an eighth Wimbledon crown to equal Roger Federer’s tally at the All England Club, and to surpass Margaret Court on the all-time list. But his first hurdle proved more demanding than expected, with Muller mounting a spirited resistance and forcing Djokovic to dig deep.

Djokovic came out firing, showcasing his signature precision and court command to dominate the opening set, reeling off six straight games. The momentum, however, shifted dramatically in the second set. Muller, unseeded but unafraid, refused to be intimidated. He saved five break points to level at 4-4 and later clawed his way back in the tiebreak, rallying from 2-5 down to steal the set 9-7 — a rare sight against the Wimbledon veteran.

At that point, Djokovic was visibly unsettled. As the Centre Court roof was drawn shut, he took a medical timeout, later revealing he had been struggling with a sudden bout of stomach trouble. “I went from playing my best tennis to feeling absolutely terrible in about 45 minutes,” Djokovic admitted post-match. “I’m not sure if it was something I ate or just a bug, but I lost all energy. Thankfully, after some doctor’s magic pills, it started coming back.”

Despite the setback, the 37-year-old regained control in the third set. Muller’s sixth double fault handed Djokovic a crucial break for 3-2, and from there, the Serbian’s clinical play returned. He finished the set 6-2 with a series of commanding rallies. By the fourth set, Djokovic looked more like his usual self, executing sharp backhands and efficient holds. A pinpoint winner gave him a 4-2 lead, and he sealed the match by holding to love, looking composed and confident once again.

Reflecting on the rollercoaster performance, Djokovic remained upbeat. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe I could win,” he said. “Wimbledon has been my most successful Slam in the last decade. I always feel at home on this surface, especially now that grass suits my game better than ever.”

Looking ahead, Djokovic faces British wild card Dan Evans in the next round — a matchup he acknowledged would be “challenging, especially with the home crowd behind him.” But with momentum on his side and health hopefully back on track, the Serbian remains a formidable contender.

In a separate highlight from Tuesday’s action, World No. 1 Iga Swiatek also made a winning start, notching her 62nd consecutive opening-match victory on tour. Despite enduring a sleepless night due to unusually hot London weather, Swiatek adjusted quickly to the grass and appeared relieved post-match. “I needed a little time to adapt. It’s not the same as Bad Homburg,” she said, referencing her previous tournament. “But the worst of the heat’s over. I survived it,” she added with a grin.

With both Djokovic and Swiatek safely through, the first round at Wimbledon continues to serve up drama, resilience, and the high-stakes energy fans have come to expect from tennis’ most prestigious tournament.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)