'Good to break the curse': Novak Djokovic takes funny dig at Roger Federer after fourth-round win at Wimbledon 2025

Novak Djokovic had previously lost whenever Roger Federer was present in the stands.

Novak Djokovic battled past Alex de Minaur in the Wimbledon 2025 fourth round, recovering from a shaky start to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 and reach his 16th quarter-final at the All England Club. Djokovic was outplayed early, struggling with swirling winds and failing to find solutions against De Minaur’s relentless defense.

The Australian’s incredible speed and ability to chase down balls frustrated the Serb, who lost the first set in just 33 minutes. Djokovic adjusted brilliantly, mixing up his tactics with frequent net approaches, he came forward 52 times, winning 35 points, and using variety to avoid baseline brawls that would favor Alex de Minaur.

In the crucial second and third sets, the Serbian managed to break at key moments, holding serve under pressure to seize control of the match. Facing a 1-4 deficit in the fourth set, Djokovic’s championship mentality shone as he reeled off five straight games to close out the match.

While the stage was big enough with a Wimbledon quarter-final spot at stake, there was tennis royalty present in the Royal Box, as the greatest ever to play at Wimbledon, Roger Federer made his first appearance at the Championship this year.

The Serb attempted to refer to the Swiss legend’s iconic playing technique. When asked about how he felt he performed, Djokovic confessed his struggles with the serve today, unlike the previous three rounds. He mentioned Federer’s serve and volley and said how lucky he would be if he could adopt the way he played.

“Sometimes I wish I had a serve and volley and nice touch from the gentleman that’s standing there. That would help”, said the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

The crowd certainly loved this interaction and banter between two legends of the sport. Djokovic even hilariously remarked that this was the first time he had ever won a match with Federer watching from the stands, adding a touch of humor to an already special moment.

“It’s probably the first time he’s watching me and I’ve won the match. In the last couple, I lost the match, so it’s good to break the curse,” Djokovic joked. “It’s great to have Roger here, a huge champion and someone I admired and respected a lot. We’ve shared the stage for so many years and it’s great to have him back in his most successful and favourite tournament, no doubt.”

Djokovic and Federer have shared a fascinating relationship over the years. In the early stages of their careers, they were fierce rivals with little visible camaraderie. However, with age and maturity, both have grown to openly express admiration and respect for each other’s skills and accomplishments.

Reflecting on their brief meet-up after the match, Djokovic said: “We did catch up very shortly.. we greeted each other. He congratulated me and said it was a great match. That’s all. It was a very short greeting but it was really nice to have him around. Obviously he’s one of the greatest legends of our game in the history of tennis. It’s always extra special when he’s on the stands. I’m glad to break the curse and win in front of him. It’s a big relief.”

Witnessing their evolution from intense on-court adversaries to a more relaxed and friendly dynamic today is truly special. The Serbian will now battle for a semi-final spot, taking on Flavio Cobolli in the quarter-finals.

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