Novak Djokovic survives Wu test to launch 25th Grand Slam bid at Wimbledon

The 39-year-old, who has been locked on 24 major titles alongside Australia's Margaret Court since winning the 2023 US Open, began his latest Grand Slam bid with a testing four-set battle under the lights of Centre Court.

Djokovic prevailed 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-4 in a tense and occasionally raucous encounter, extending his flawless record in Wimbledon first-round matches to 21 wins from 21 appearances at the All England Club.

Despite dropping a set and facing sustained resistance from Wu, the seven-time Wimbledon champion showed his trademark resilience to regain control at key moments and close out the match in just over three hours.

Djokovic also had to contend with several distractions during the match, which included a marriage proposal in the crowd, prompting the Serbian to ask for an invitation.

"It felt really challenging for me today," said Djokovic after the match. "I'm feeling happy but not the freshest. It didn't feel like the first round to be honest."

Djokovic set the tone early with a break in the opening game, which proved decisive in taking the first set. Wu Yibing responded strongly in the second, staying with the seven-time Wimbledon champion before edging ahead at 6-5 to level the match.

The third set was tightly contested, with little separating the pair as long baseline exchanges tested Djokovic's fitness.

Errors crept into Djokovic's game in the fourth set, but he showed trademark resilience to save six break points and stay level before striking at 4-4. He then closed out the match on serve, sealing victory after three hours and 12 minutes on court.

"He put me under a lot of pressure," Djokovic added. "He definitely surprised me with the level of every shot he had in his game from his return serves, forehand, backhand.

"At some points he didn't really have a weakness." 

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