Novak Djokovic once again showed why Wimbledon remains one of his most successful hunting grounds. In a tough third-round match at Wimbledon 2026, the Serbian legend defeated France’s Arthur Rinderknech to equal Roger Federer’s all-time men’s record of 105 match wins at the tournament. It was not Djokovic’s easiest victory on Centre Court, but it was the kind of gritty performance that has defined his career for more than two decades.
The 39-year-old won the match 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4), surviving a strong fightback from Rinderknech after taking the first two sets. With this win, Djokovic moved into the fourth round and kept alive his dream of another Wimbledon title.
A Historic Win for Djokovic
Djokovic’s victory was special because it brought him level with Roger Federer’s record of 105 match wins at Wimbledon. Federer has long been considered the king of grass because of his eight Wimbledon titles and graceful dominance at the All England Club. Now Djokovic has matched him in terms of total victories at the tournament.
This achievement is another reminder of Djokovic’s extraordinary longevity. At an age when most tennis players slow down or retire, he continues to compete deep into Grand Slam events. He is not only winning matches, but also breaking and matching records that once looked almost untouchable.
Rinderknech Made Djokovic Work Hard
Arthur Rinderknech came into the match as the underdog, but he did not play like one. The Frenchman used his powerful serve and aggressive hitting to trouble Djokovic, especially after the first two sets. Djokovic looked steady in the opening stages and managed to take the first set 7-5 by staying sharper in the important moments.
The second set also went Djokovic’s way, 6-4. At that stage, it looked like the match could finish quickly. But Rinderknech had other plans. He raised his level in the third set and started attacking Djokovic with more freedom. His fearless approach paid off as he took the third set 6-1, suddenly changing the mood of the contest.
Djokovic Shows His Champion Mindset
The fourth set became the real test. Rinderknech had momentum, and Djokovic had to respond under pressure. The Frenchman continued to serve well and refused to give Djokovic any easy rhythm. For a while, it looked like the match could go into a deciding fifth set.
But Djokovic is famous for staying calm when the pressure rises. In the fourth-set tie-break, he played with more control and experience. He reduced mistakes, handled the big points better, and finally closed the tie-break 7-4.
This is what separates Djokovic from many others. Even when he is not playing his best tennis, he finds a way to win. That fighting quality has helped him dominate the biggest stages of tennis for years.
Why This Record Matters
Equaling Federer at Wimbledon is not just a number. It connects Djokovic with one of the greatest grass-court players in tennis history. Federer’s record at Wimbledon has always carried huge emotional value because of his style, success and deep connection with Centre Court.
For Djokovic to stand beside him on 105 wins shows how complete his own career has become. He is not only the most successful hard-court player of his generation, but also one of the finest grass-court players the sport has seen.
Only Martina Navratilova, with 120 Wimbledon match wins, is ahead of Djokovic and Federer on the overall list. That shows how rare this achievement is in the history of the tournament.
Another Wimbledon Title Still in Sight
Djokovic is already a seven-time Wimbledon champion. One more title would take him level with Federer’s men’s record of eight Wimbledon singles titles. That makes this year’s campaign even more important for him.
He is also chasing his 25th Grand Slam singles title, which would add another huge chapter to his already legendary career. Every match at this stage matters because Djokovic knows that chances to win majors become more difficult with age, fitness and the rise of younger players.
Next Challenge in the Fourth Round
After beating Rinderknech, Djokovic will face Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin in the fourth round. Safiullin reached the last 16 after defeating Joao Fonseca in straight sets, making him a dangerous opponent with confidence on his side.
Djokovic will still enter that match as the favourite, but Wimbledon has already shown that no match can be taken lightly. If Djokovic wins again, he will move ahead of Federer and claim sole ownership of the men’s record for most Wimbledon match wins.
Final Word
Djokovic’s third-round win was not perfect, but it was powerful in its own way. He was tested, pushed and forced to fight. Yet, like so many times before, he found the answer when the match became difficult.
By equaling Federer’s Wimbledon record, Djokovic has added another historic milestone to his career. More importantly, he remains alive in the tournament, still chasing records, still chasing titles, and still proving that his hunger has not faded.
Satyakam is a seasoned professional content writer with over 15 years of experience in creating high-quality, research-driven content for digital platforms. He specialises in business, finance, banking, law, technology, and informational blogs.
