Novak Djokovic on course to break another of Roger Federer’s Wimbledon records

Shahida Jacobs 05 Jul 2023 11:34 AM

A smiling Novak Djokovic

Roger Federer broke Arthur Ashe’s long-standing record as the oldest player to win Wimbledon in the Open Era when he lifted the trophy in 2017, but Novak Djokovic could snatch that milestone from the Swiss in just under a fortnight.

When Federer defeated Marin Cilic on Centre Court just under six years ago, he surged past Ashe’s previous milestone as he was 35 years, 10 months and 26 days old on the day of the match. Fellow icon Ashe was 31 years, 11 months and 13 days old when he beat Jimmy Connors in the 1975 final.

Djokovic – who is gunning to draw level with Federer’s record eight Wimbledon titles this year – is already second behind the Swiss Maestro in the list of current oldest Wimbledon winners in the Open Era as he was 35 years, one month and five days old when he beat Nick Kyrgios in the final last year.

If the Serbian is the last man standing at the All England Club on July 17, then he will claim the record as he will be 36 years, one month and 25 days old.

In terms of the overall record, Arthur Gore’s achievement is likely to stand for several more years as he was 41 when he won his third and final Wimbledon title in 1909. Three years later he finished runner-up at the age of 44.

Meanwhile, Martina Navratilova holds the record for the oldest-ever Wimbledon champion in any discipline as was she just over three months shy of her 47th birthday when she won the 2003 mixed doubles title alongside India’s Leander Paes.

Back to modern times, Djokovic became the oldest Roland Garros champion in June as he surpassed Rafael Nadal. Djokovic was 36 years and six days when he lifted the trophy while Nadal was 35 years, 11 months and 19 days during his title run in 2022.

There is a good chance to Djokovic could become the oldest US Open winner later this year with the current record being held by Ken Rosewell as the Australian was 35 years and 10 months when he won the title in 1970.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner will be 36 years, three months and 19 days when the 2023 US Open final takes place on September 10.