TIME BENDS FOR NOVAK AT WIMBLEDON

 

Noval Djokovic's 5 hour epic fight was a reminder that even at 39. he's still the master of endurance.

Five hours and 15 minutes is enough to finish a marathon. You can binge watch a trilogy or fly across Europe in that time. But Novak Djokovic had spent every one of those 315 minutes to remind the world why at 39, he is one of sports' greatest endurance athlete. 

His jaw dropping effort against the third seed, Felix Auger-Aliassime in the June 2026 Wimbledon quarter finals left the tennis world in awe. 

He had battled his way to a 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6 victory at 10.52 pm UK time, just eight minutes before the All England Club's 11pm curfew.

This was the first question put to him at the media conference reflecting the enormity of the feat.

"Like Messi, you are 39. One scores goals. You win after five hours and 15 minutes."

Djokovic, never fond of comparisons, however flattering, was quick with the riposte:

"It would be nice to play 90 minutes, like him."

Prajwal Hegde writes in The Times of India of 9 july 2026