LONDON — Novak Djokovic flirted with Wimbledon's strict 11 p.m. curfew on Monday night, securing a straight-sets victory over France's Alexandre Muller just minutes before the tournament's cutoff time. The seven-time champion, playing under the Centre Court roof, wrapped up the match 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 45 minutes, ensuring play concluded at 10:47 p.m.—13 minutes shy of the deadline.
Djokovic's Dominance Under Pressure
The Serbian superstar, chasing a record-equaling eighth Wimbledon title, showcased his trademark precision under pressure. Despite a late start due to rain delays earlier in the day, Djokovic wasted no time asserting his dominance. "I knew the curfew was looming, but I stayed focused on playing clean, efficient tennis," he said in his post-match interview.
Key stats from the match highlighted Djokovic's control:
- Won 89% of first-serve points (32/36)
- Converted 4 of 7 break points
- Committed just 12 unforced errors
Muller's Uphill Battle
World No. 84 Alexandre Muller, making his Wimbledon main-draw debut, struggled to find rhythm against Djokovic's relentless returning. The Frenchman managed just 15 winners compared to Djokovic's 31. "Playing Novak here is like solving a puzzle with missing pieces," Muller admitted afterward.
Curfew Drama: A Wimbledon Tradition
Wimbledon's 11 p.m. curfew, imposed to respect local residents, has created dramatic moments in recent years:
- 2022: Nick Kyrgios' third-round match ended at 10:58 p.m.
- 2018: Rafael Nadal completed a fifth-set tiebreak at 10:38 p.m.
- 2016: Roger Federer's match was suspended at 10:39 p.m.
Tournament referee Gerry Armstrong confirmed "had Djokovic not broken serve in the third set's sixth game, we would have stopped play at 11 p.m. regardless of score."
Looking Ahead
Djokovic will face either Jordan Thompson or Brandon Nakashima in the second round. With favorable weather forecasts, scheduling conflicts should ease. "I'm here to win seven matches, whether they finish at 3 p.m. or 10:59 p.m.," Djokovic stated, dismissing concerns about late finishes.
The victory extended Djokovic's Wimbledon winning streak to 29 matches, dating back to 2017. Only Roger Federer (40) and Björn Borg (41) have longer streaks in the Open Era. With this win, Djokovic also became the first player—male or female—to reach 350 Grand Slam match victories.
Grass-Court Mastery
Djokovic's grass-court numbers continue to astound:
- 85-10 career record at Wimbledon
- Hasn't lost on Centre Court since 2013 final
- Won 44 of last 45 grass-court matches
Former champion John McEnroe observed, "Novak's ability to raise his level when time becomes a factor separates him from the pack. He treats curfews like match points—something to dominate, not fear."
Conclusion: Business as Usual
While the curfew added narrative tension, Djokovic's performance reaffirmed his status as title favorite. As daylight waned and clocks ticked, the 23-time Grand Slam champion delivered another masterclass in efficiency. "This is why we play on Centre Court—for these moments that test your composure," Djokovic reflected, already shifting focus to his next challenge.