Novak Djokovic on his five-hour epic — Quarter-Finals Press Conference — Wimbledon 2026

[0:02] Good evening, welcome to the press conference for Novak Djokovic. [0:05] Obviously, it's late and it's a very long match, [0:07] so we're going to try and keep this as short as we can. [0:09] Right, questions? [0:11] Pavel Do, please. [0:13] Fantastic, unbelievable. [0:15] Like Messi, 39 years, one scores goals. [0:19] You win after five hours and 15 minutes. [0:22] It would be nice to play 90 minutes like him. [0:24] OK. [0:27] You said you won with the heart, [0:29] but you are a doubtful about how your body will recover. [0:34] Let's see, let's see. [0:36] I have an extra day, which is good. [0:38] What do you expect with Cena? [0:42] Let's see, we'll see, in the future we'll tell. [0:46] You sound like Yannick talking like that, Yannick. [0:48] I'm curious for you what you think of how just late this tournament's going lately. [0:53] You've played a lot of late matches, this was only three matches on the schedule. [0:56] I feel like I've played more indoor tournament than outdoor, to be honest. [0:59] This has shifted during your career, it's almost always like pushing it now. [1:02] It's always finishing after dark. [1:04] Just how is that for you? [1:05] I mean, at the same time, it's exciting to be part of such an epic match [1:10] that was played over five hours or whatever it was. [1:15] I don't even know the exact time, [1:17] but just one of the best matches I was honestly part of in Wimbledon. [1:23] I mean, I don't recall playing this long any match. [1:27] Maybe Roger final 2019 comes close, but in terms of the time and length. [1:33] But it was really, really super, even anybody's game. [1:37] Honestly, Felix also played on a really high level and, you know, [1:42] he dropped his level a little bit in that super tiebreak [1:45] and I used all my opportunities and hung in there, you know, [1:49] played the right shots. [1:50] And that was enough, you know, the crowd was up on their feet, you know. [1:55] Particularly the last, you know, 30 minutes of the match, [1:59] you know, they also recognised how special the moment is, you know, [2:06] of us battling the curfew as well, a few minutes earlier than 11. [2:12] And, yeah, just very proud to come out as a winner. [2:16] I know you said on court that, you know, it's another semi-final, [2:23] you're not here just to make the semi-final. [2:25] Are you ever kind of surprised by yourself at what you're capable of doing [2:29] after so many years, after, you know, all of that? [2:32] I mean, yes and no. [2:35] I guess yes at this stage that I'm still able to, you know, [2:39] battle these young guys that have, you know, 15 years less than me [2:45] and, you know, that I'm able to beat them at the, you know, [2:52] the tightest possible scoreline. [2:54] So, of course, in a sense, it is really a nice surprise. [2:59] But at the same time, I always have, you know, [3:04] the highest expectations for myself. [3:06] And I can be very self-critical, very hard on myself. [3:09] But at the same time, you know, I try to also enjoy the moments like this, [3:13] you know, where I, you know, I don't know what tomorrow brings. [3:18] And to be honest, let's see, I'm still in the tournament. [3:22] I still want to, you know, go at least one more step further. [3:26] And but, you know, this was as good as a final for me. [3:29] I mean, I gave it, I gave it all that I had and gave it my best. [3:34] And I think it was really thrilling experience for us players, [3:39] but also a crowd, you know, present in the stadium. [3:42] I'm sure also a lot of people watching on TV. [3:44] So just glad to be part of another historic match. [3:48] OK, last English question. [3:49] You obviously had that incredible run in Australia [3:52] and you're on this historic run now. [3:54] I just wondered how you feel now compared to then [3:57] and if it feels quite similar or not. [3:59] I mean, I had a very long semis against Sinner, [4:09] but this was quarters and now I have to play Sinner in semis. [4:14] So, you know, there's difference and difference in the surface. [4:18] It's obviously that was the first big tournament of the year for me, [4:22] coming fresher from several months of break and preparation. [4:28] So it's a bit different now, but nevertheless, [4:33] another great historic run for me at the Grand Slam. [4:37] So this is what counts the most. [4:40] Honestly, I mean, I still try to prove to myself and others that I'm, [4:46] you know, able to compete with the best players in the world [4:50] and beat them in the biggest stage and that's what I've done in Australia [4:53] and that's what I've done here. [4:55] So hopefully, you know, I can do it a few more matches here in London. [5:00] OK, thanks for taking the questions. [5:01] Thank you. [5:03] Perfect. [5:04] Yes. [5:05] Thank you. [5:06] Thank you.