Top 10 oldest players to win Wimbledon in the Open Era: Novak Djokovic could eclipse Roger Federer
Just a few weeks becoming the oldest player to win the French Open, Novak Djokovic is within touching distance of achieving the same feat at Wimbledon by breaking Roger Federer’s record.
Back in June this year, Djokovic eclipsed another member of the Big Three in Rafael Nadal as he was 36 years and 20 days when he lifted the Roland Garros trophy while his Spanish rival was 36 years and two days when he won the title in 2022.
Djokovic is the firm favourite to win a record-equaling eighth Wimbledon title in just under a fortnight that could take him to 25 Grand Slams.
Victory would also see him become the oldest Wimbledon winner, but where does he feature in the top 10 as things stand?
10. John Newcombe – 27 years and 29 days
Australian John Newcombe became the second-oldest player after his compatriot Rod Laver to win Wimbledon when he lifted the trophy back in 1971, defeating American Stan Smith 6–3, 5–7, 2–6, 6–4, 6–4 in the final.
Newcombe finished his career with seven Grand Slam titles – three at Wimbledon, two at the Australian Open and two at the US Open.
9. Jan Kodes – 27 years, three months and 24 days
Jan Kodes from the Czech Republic won his third and final Grand Slam when he defeated Alex Metreveli in the 1973 Wimbledon final 6–1, 9–8(7–5), 6–3, becoming the third oldest Wimbledon champion at the time.
8. Pete Sampras – 28 years, 10 months and 14 days
When Pete Sampras defeated Pat Rafter 6–7 (10–12), 7–6 (7–5), 6–4, 6–2 in the 2000 Wimbledon final to lift his seventh title, very few would have predicted that within two decades another player would surpass those seven titles. Yet, in 2017 Federer eclipsed his tally.
Up until the arrival of the Big Four, Sampras was the fifth oldest player to win Wimbledon.
7. Andy Murray – 29 years, one month and 12 days
Andy Murray ended Great Britain’s long drought for a Wimbledon men’s singles champion in 2013 when he beat Novak Djokovic and three years later he won a second title, this time defeating Milos Raonic from Canada 6–4, 7–6 (7–3), 7–6 (7–2).
It was the last of Murray’s three Grand Slams as he won the US Open in 2012, but many believe Murray’s 2016 campaign was one of the best in modern times as he also won the Australian Open that year, was runner-up at Roland Garros and finished the year at No 1.
6. Goran Ivanisevic – 29 years, nine months and 12 days
One of the most heartwarming sporting stories ever came in 2001 when outside Goran Ivanisevic won the Wimbledon title.
After finishing runner-up in 1992, 1994 and 1998, many felt Ivanisevic’s time at the top was over as he had slipped outside the top 100 in the rankings and needed a wildcard to play at Wimbledon.
But the Croatian became the first wildcard to win Wimbledon when he defeated Pat Rafter 6–3, 3–6, 6–3, 2–6, 9–7 with the final only finishing on a Monday. It was the last title of his career.
5. Jimmy Connors – 29 years, nine months and 19 days
American Jimmy Conners was only seven days older than Ivanisevic when he won the 1982 Wimbledon final, beating great rival John McEnroe 3–6, 6–3, 6–7 (2–7), 7–6 (7–5), 6–4.
Interestingly, the Connors and McEnroe final was the first Wimbledon match scheduled to take place on a Sunday. Connors still went on to win the US Open the following year – just a few days shy of his 31st birthday.
4. Rod Laver – 30 years, 10 months and 14 days
Australian Rod Laver became the first 30-year-old to win the title at SW19 in the Open Era when he defeated Newcombe 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–4 in the 1969 Wimbledon final. Although to be fair, the Open Era was still in its infancy as it started in 1968.
The Wimbledon title formed part of the legendary Laver’s Calendar Grand Slam as he had already won the Australian Open and French Open. A few months after his success at the All England Club he won the US Open to notch up the rare feat of winning all four majors in the same year – something that no other player has done after that.
3. Arthur Ashe – 31 years, 11 months and 13 days
Arthur Ashe made all sorts of history on July 5, 1975 as he became the first black man to win a Wimbledon singles title and also became the oldest man to do so.
The American defeated defending champion Connors 6–1, 6–1, 5–7, 6–4 to break Laver’s record.
2. Novak Djokovic – 35 years, one month and five days
Tennis great Novak Djokovic enjoyed a tumultuous start to the 2022 season as he was deported from Australia, missed tournaments in the US due to his unvaccinated status and was beaten in the quarter-final of the French Open.
But things always come together for Djokovic at Wimbledon and it was no different in the final as he beat Nick Kyrgios 4–6, 6–3, 6–4, 7–6 (7–3) to win a seventh title at SW19 and a 20th Grand Slam in total.
He was also just a few months shy of Federer’s record.
1. Roger Federer – 35 years, 10 months and 26 days
When Roger Federer won his first Wimbledon title in five years, he moved past Ashe and into top spot as he was three years older than the American.
Federer’s eighth Wimbledon crown came on the back of a 6–3, 6–1, 6–4 win over Marin Cilic in the final and it was also his 20th and final Grand Slam title.
READ MORE: Novak Djokovic on course to break another of Roger Federer’s Wimbledon records
