Djokovic Battles Through Illness to Reach Wimbledon Second Round as Zverev Crashes Out

Novak Djokovic shook off a mid-match health scare to advance to the second round at Wimbledon, joining world number one Jannik Sinner, while third seed Alexander Zverev suffered a shock defeat to France’s Arthur Rinderknech.

Chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title, Djokovic opened his campaign with a 6-1, 6-7 (7-9), 6-2, 6-2 win over France’s Alexandre Muller on Centre Court. The seven-time champion looked in control early on but faltered in the third set, visibly struggling before calling a medical timeout.

“From playing my best to feeling terrible in just 30–45 minutes — I don’t know if it was a stomach bug or something else,” Djokovic explained after the match. “But the energy returned and I was able to finish strong.”

Despite the setback, Djokovic found his rhythm after receiving treatment and dominated the closing stages, winning 10 of the last 12 games. He will face Britain’s Dan Evans next, aiming to continue a formidable Wimbledon record that now includes 40 wins from his last 42 matches — his only losses coming against Carlos Alcaraz in the past two finals.

Meanwhile, Sinner powered past fellow Italian Luca Nardi in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, 6-0, in his first Grand Slam outing since a dramatic French Open final loss to Alcaraz. The 22-year-old showed no signs of rust, dropping just seven games in a clinical display.

Zverev, however, was unable to progress, becoming the fourth top-10 seed to fall within the tournament’s first two days. The German was ousted in four sets by Rinderknech, adding to a growing list of early exits that also includes Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti.

In the women’s draw, more surprises unfolded as French Open champion Coco Gauff became the third top-five seed to be eliminated, highlighting a dramatic start to this year’s championships.

Djokovic had previously stated that Wimbledon presents his best opportunity to disrupt the rise of Alcaraz and Sinner in the Grand Slam arena. That belief appeared well-founded in the opening set, where he dazzled with six consecutive games and dropped only two points on serve in just 30 minutes.

However, the contest tightened in the second set. Djokovic failed to convert 11 break opportunities and four set points before Muller turned the tide in a tense tie-break, winning it 9-7. The roof was then closed, and early in the third set, Djokovic took a medical timeout amid signs of physical discomfort.

The treatment — reportedly a tablet — had an immediate impact. The Serbian reeled off five straight games to claim the third set and restored control of the match. Muller, who also required treatment for a calf issue, showed grit by earning his first break points early in the fourth set, but Djokovic held firm.

With the clock ticking toward Wimbledon’s 23:00 BST curfew, Djokovic served out the final game to love, ensuring his place in round two and keeping alive his bid for Grand Slam history.