Novak Djokovic began his latest Wimbledon record chase the hard way, surviving a stubborn first-round test from China’s Wu Yibing to win 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 on Centre Court.
The Serbian arrived at the All England Club chasing two pieces of history: an eighth Wimbledon title to match Roger Federer’s men’s record, and a 25th Grand Slam crown that would move him clear at the top of the all-time major list.
Wu made sure that chase opened with resistance, not comfort.
Djokovic took the first set 6-4 and looked ready to settle into familiar Centre Court control. His serve carried authority, his movement looked sharp enough, and the match appeared to be moving toward a routine opening victory.
Then Wu changed the tone.
The Chinese player raised his aggression in the second set, hit through rallies with greater conviction and forced Djokovic into longer, more awkward exchanges. He took the set 7-5, turning the contest from a warm-up into a real examination.
For Djokovic, that was the pressure point.
At 39, every extended Grand Slam match now carries a different meaning. The history remains. The experience remains. But opponents are no longer just facing the aura. They are trying to drag him into physical battles and test how much punishment his game can still absorb.
Wu did exactly that.
Djokovic responded with control rather than panic. He tightened his service games, waited for the opening and found the break that pushed the match back in his direction.
The third set went 6-4 to Djokovic, but Wu still refused to disappear.
He kept attacking in the fourth, stretched the rallies and forced Djokovic to stay sharp deep into the set. The decisive moment came late, when Djokovic broke for a 5-4 lead after Wu missed an overhead.
This time, Djokovic did not let the door reopen.
He served out the match to reach the second round and keep his Wimbledon campaign alive.
Djokovic Made To Work In Slippery Conditions
Djokovic’s reaction after the match showed how uncomfortable the contest became.
According to The Guardian’s live Wimbledon report, Djokovic said the match felt different after the Centre Court roof closed, with conditions becoming more slippery underfoot. He also credited Wu for applying sustained pressure and surprising him with the quality of his shot-making.
That detail matters.
This was not just a match Djokovic had to win on the scoreboard. He had to manage changing conditions, an opponent with nothing to lose and the physical strain of a long grass-court opener.
That has always been one of Djokovic’s great strengths. When the match becomes complicated, he usually finds the answer before the opponent finds belief.
Wu found belief.
Djokovic still found the answer.
Record Chase Still Alive
This was not a statement of dominance from Djokovic.
It was a statement of survival.
That may matter even more at this stage of his career. Djokovic has already produced enough smooth Grand Slam victories to fill a career, but Wimbledon 2026 is asking a sharper question: can he still absorb pressure, solve problems and protect his record chase when the match becomes uncomfortable?
Against Wu, the answer was yes.
The win sets up a second-round meeting with Stefanos Tsitsipas, according to The Guardian’s live Wimbledon report.
It also keeps alive one of the biggest storylines of the tournament. Djokovic is not just chasing another deep run. He is chasing separation in tennis history.
Wu Leaves With Respect
Wu exited in the first round, but he did not leave quietly.
The Chinese player gave Djokovic a real workout, took a set from one of the sport’s greatest grass-court players and showed why his return to Grand Slam action carries meaning after injury-hit seasons.
He did not have enough to finish the upset.
But he had enough to expose the challenge ahead for Djokovic.
Wimbledon will not hand him history. It will make him fight for it.
