Djokovic and Struff: the fortnight that laughed at the clock

Wimbledon 2026 crowned a 21-year-old women's champion, minted a wildcard semifinalist and introduced new names to both top 10s. And yet, woven through the whole fortnight, ran a very different story: the stubborn, glorious refusal of the sport's older men to get out of the way.

Djokovic passes Federer — at 39

Novak Djokovic provided the headline act. In reaching the last four, the 39-year-old Serb moved past Roger Federer's record for Wimbledon match wins — his tally now standing at 107 victories at the All England Club, more than any man in history.

His quarterfinal against Félix Auger-Aliassime became a record in its own right: at 5 hours and 15 minutes, it was the longest quarterfinal ever played at Wimbledon. Djokovic came through it, and in doing so became the second-oldest men's semifinalist in the tournament's history — the oldest since Ken Rosewall in 1974.

Only the best player in the world stopped him. Jannik Sinner, the eventual champion, won their semifinal 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 — clinical, yes, but it took the world No. 1 in title-winning form to end the 39-year-old's run.

Struff, 36, and the 47th attempt

If Djokovic's longevity has long been priced in, Jan-Lennard Struff's late bloom was the fortnight's purest surprise. At 36 years and 71 days, the German became the oldest man in the Open Era to reach a first Grand Slam quarterfinal — at the 47th major of his career.

Nothing about the run was cheap. Struff won a five-setter against Sebastián Báez in round one, survived a fifth-set tiebreak against Brandon Nakashima in round two, then produced the result of his life: a 7-6, 7-6, 7-5 dismantling of Daniil Medvedev in the third round. A retirement from Hubert Hurkacz in round four sent him through, before Sinner — who else? — ended it in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6(4), 6-3.

The reward is real: Struff climbs 33 places, from No. 74 to No. 41, his highest ranking since November 2024. A fortnight that began with a five-set grind against Báez ended with the German back among the seeds-in-waiting of the tour.

And a farewell in four tiebreaks

The theme even claimed the tournament's most emotional exit. Stan Wawrinka, 41 and playing his 19th and final Wimbledon, lost to Matteo Berrettini in four tiebreaks — including a 34-point second-set breaker in which he let six set points slip — and left Centre Court to standing ovations and tears, saying he does not really want to retire but knows the time has come.

The old guard is not done yet, though. Wawrinka chases one last home title in Gstaad this week, Struff carries top-50 status into the summer — and Djokovic, at 39, leaves London as the record holder for Wimbledon match wins and the world No. 7.