Novak Djokovic clearly still has an immense amount of physical skill in order to be a great tennis player. What he lacks a bit more is the raw physicality of his younger rivals, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. In terms of tennis IQ, though, Djokovic might still be unrivaled.
That was the case in the first two sets against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the second round of Wimbledon 2026. The Greek player has struggled greatly over the last couple of years, but he wasn't playing poorly. He simply couldn't take a set from the Serbian because of Djokovic's unparalleled technical advantage.
Djokovic is 39 years old, well past the normal age for a high-end player, but as his 24 Grand Slam titles imply, the Serbian is no mere mortal in terms of his sport. The best example of this might have come after Djokovic took the first set 6-3 and was looking for a late break in the second set when he kept battling defensively and earned a break point that mere mortals could never do.
Novak Djokovic overcomes Stefanos Tsitsipas easily in the second round of Wimbledon 2026
That includes Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Both of those players were offensive machines with an ability to play well defensively. Djokovic is arguably the best player ever because of his defensive prowess.
He was able to get the break late in set two, and then held easily to lead two sets to love. The match wasn't over, however. As much of a struggle as tennis has been for Tsitsipas the last couple of years, his previous experiences should make a fan believe he is always just on the cusp of being great again. No one should count him out even when it appears he should be.
He struggles horribly with his backhand, especially while returning (just blocking the ball at times would be good, but he rarely does), but just one ounce of a fix, and he can get back in matches he shouldn't be in and be a real player on the ATP tour again. He was down 3-6, 4-6, sure, but it takes winning three sets to be victorious in a men's Grand Slam match.
The problem for the Greek is that the Serbian has made a good living out of not losing five-set matches at majors. He also wasn't helped at 2-4 in the third set, after Djokovic had already gotten a break, when the Serb put on one of the best displays of tennis in a return game any player could. He hit cross-court winners, lob winners, and whatever else was needed.
The entire second-round match at Wimbledon 2026 was a clinic for Novak Djokovic. If he continues to play as well after taking set three 6-2, he will hold his 25th major title at the end of the tournament. Next, though, he has to play Arthur Rinderknech.
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