Behind Jannik Sinner's triumph, Wimbledon 2026 produced two parallel stories that deserve their own spotlight. Novak Djokovic pushing back the boundaries of age, and Arthur Fery turning a wildcard into a fairytale.
Djokovic, 39 years and 49 days old on the day of his semifinal, became the second-oldest man to reach the last four at Wimbledon in the Open Era. The Serbian also surpassed Roger Federer's record for men's singles match wins at the All England Club, reaching 107 victories. A staggering number that speaks to a longevity without parallel in the history of men's tennis.
Against Sinner in the semifinals, Djokovic was swept aside 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, a scoreline that does not tell the full story. The Serb competed fiercely for long stretches, finding impossible backhand angles and approaching the net with the boldness of his peak years. But Sinner's power and consistency proved decisive in the key games of each set.
After the match, Djokovic left the door open for a return in 2027. "At 40, why not?" he said with a smile. The Centre Court crowd rose to its feet, delivering an ovation that felt like a tribute to a career that refuses to end.
The other revelation of the fortnight answers to the name Arthur Fery. The 24-year-old Briton, who entered the draw as a wildcard, became only the second invitee to reach the Wimbledon semifinals in the Open Era, after Goran Ivanisevic in 2001. Ivanisevic went on to win the title. Fery was not as fortunate, swept by in straight sets, but his run electrified the British public.
Born in London to French parents, trained between Boulogne-Billancourt and the Laver Tennis Academy in Australia, Fery represents a new generation of cosmopolitan players. His attacking game, built on a powerful serve and instinctive volleying, seems tailor-made for grass. Before Wimbledon, he was ranked outside the top 150. This run will open doors and deliver a very different ranking for the rest of the season.
