Dancing Djokovic revels in epic win

Side to side. Corner to corner. Novak Djokovic kept pushing Felix Auger-Aliassime back and forth along the Centre Court baseline at Wimbledon, sending him to retrieve one shot after another.

Finally, on the 22nd shot of a grueling rally deep in a fifth-set super tiebreaker, Auger-Aliassime had a forehand in the middle of the court. Under normal circumstances it might have been just the shot he was looking for.

Not this time. Not after five hours of battling with the 39-year-old Djokovic.

Auger-Aliassime, a 25-year-old Canadian with one of the top-rated forehands on tour, had nothing left in his tank. He sprayed his forehand wide to give Djokovic a 9-4 lead. Then, both players bent over in exhaustion and leaned on their rackets.

Djokovic, while he was bent over, still found energy to encourage the crowd to cheer louder, waving his left arm for more noise.

One point later, the longest quarterfinal in Wimbledon history — at five hours and 15 minutes — was finished. "These," Djokovic said,"are the kind of moments that I still play tennis for."

Djokovic, the seven-time Wimbledon champion, prevailed 7-6 (10),3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4) on Tuesday to set up a semifinal against defending champion Jannik Sinner.

"I'm still able to battle these young guys that have 15 years less than me," Djokovic said. "I'm able to beat them at the tightest possible scoreline. In a sense, it is really a nice surprise, but at the same time, I always have the highest expectations for myself."

Djokovic continues to break records as he chases a 25th Grand Slam title. He's reached a record-setting eighth consecutive Wimbledon final four — moving him one ahead of Roger Federer for most consecutive men's singles semifinal appearances at the grass-court major tournament.

Djokovic has often tested the limits of his endurance with marathon victories in the past, but he conceded this was an extra-special effort at an age when most of his contemporaries have retired.

"I try to also enjoy the moments like this. I think it was a really thrilling experience for us players, but also the crowd. Also, I'm sure, for a lot of people watching on TV. I'm glad to be part of another historic match."

Djokovic rated his astonishing victory alongside his 2019 Wimbledon final against Roger Federer, which the Serb won in five sets over four hours and 57 minutes, as among the best of his career.

"It's exciting to be part of such an epic match that was played over five hours, whatever it was," he said.

"Just one of the best matches I was honestly part of at Wimbledon. Maybe the Wimbledon final in 2019 comes close in terms of time.

"The crowd was up on their feet, particularly the last 30 minutes. They recognized how special the moment was. Just very proud to come out as a winner."

Djokovic had spoken earlier in the tournament about his use of cutting-edge technology to keep his body in a condition to compete against younger opponents.

He has used hyperbaric and cryo chambers, cold immersions and red light and pulse therapies to stop Father Time ruining his bid for a record-equaling eighth Wimbledon title.

The treatments have clearly done their job, as Djokovic is the second-oldest man to reach a Wimbledon semifinal since Ken Rosewall in 1974.

"We know, because we've seen him so much, but it's so impressive that he does it time and time again," Auger-Aliassime said.

The match ended just before the All England Club's 11 pm curfew took effect.

To celebrate, Djokovic raised his arms high and wide and took in the applause, as he walked to the net to shake hands with Auger-Aliassime. Then Djokovic performed a little elbows-to-knees dance. He often mentions that his daughter, who was watching in the players' box, tries to teach him new moves.

Later, Djokovic was asked to compare himself with another 39-year-old still performing at the highest of levels: Lionel Messi of Argentina.

"It would be nice to play 90 minutes like him," Djokovic said of the soccer great.

Rematch with Sinner

Sinner spent less than half the amount of time on court as Djokovic did when he beat Jan-Lennard Struff 7-5, 7-6 (4), 6-3 much earlier in the day on No 1 Court.

Sinner beat Djokovic in straight sets in last year's Wimbledon semifinals; and Djokovic outlasted the Italian over five sets in the last four of this year's Australian Open.

"I wish it was the final, so I don't need to worry about how the body will feel tomorrow," Djokovic said. "I was telling the kids to go to sleep after the fourth (set), but they didn't want to listen. I'm glad they stayed, because it was, honestly, one of the best matches I was a part of on this court."

Djokovic now gets two days to recuperate before Friday's semifinal.

Late in the first set, Djokovic dealt with what appeared to be a lower-leg issue. He took a medical timeout, and a trainer tested the stability of his left ankle and calf before massaging his calf muscle.

Djokovic had earlier leaned over to stretch his leg by pulling back the tip of his sneaker. He also stretched while standing at the back wall.

There was more stretching the rest of the way, too — especially late in the fifth set.

"It was really anybody's game in the super tiebreak in the fifth," Djokovic said.

Djokovic objected to the decision to close the Centre Court roof at 7:40 pm, after Auger-Aliassime won the second set to level at a set apiece.

Djokovic told Wimbledon tournament referee Denise Parnell that they could squeeze in another set before the natural light faded.

"We can play a whole other set outdoors. We're an outdoor tournament," Djokovic said. "You remember the first round? You didn't close it until like 8:20, 8:30, and now you want to close it at 7:40. Where's the consistency?

"You're so proud of your rules, but you're not sticking to any kind of rules," Djokovic added.

Gauff rallies

Down a set after untimely double-faults, Coco Gauff rallied past Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 to reach her first Wimbledon semifinal.

The 22-year-old Gauff became the youngest player to reach the semifinals at all four Grand Slams since Maria Sharapova, who completed the feat at the 2007 French Open, the women's professional tennis tour said.

Gauff will face 10th-seeded Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic for a spot in Saturday's final.

Muchova, the 2023 French Open runner-up, eliminated Naomi Osaka 7-6 (4), 6-4.

In Gauff's six previous appearances at the All England Club, she had never advanced beyond the fourth round.

"After seven years playing this tournament, it's finally the first time I can walk on Centre Court and I didn't feel nervous," Gauff said.

In the completion of a fourth-round match, second-seeded Alexander Zverev beat Jiri Lehecka 6-4,7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (6) to set up a quarterfinal on Wednesday against sixth-seeded Taylor Fritz.

AGENCIES