Wimbledon 2025 LIVE!
Novak Djokovic takes to Centre Court this afternoon as he begins his latest quest for an eighth Wimbledon title. The record 24-time Grand Slam winner is still looking to equal old rival Roger Federer for the most SW19 triumphs in the Open era, having been bested in back-to-back finals by Carlos Alcaraz and gone three years now since last achieving glory at the All England Club.
It remains to be seen how much longer the 38-year-old and last man standing from the iconic ‘Big Four’ era of men’s tennis plans to continue playing, having admitted that he is unsure if this is his “last dance” at Wimbledon - where is the sixth seed - having said likewise about the French Open after his semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner. Looking to shock Djokovic today is Alexandre Muller, the world No40 who has never advanced beyond the second round of a Grand Slam.
The 28-year-old is currently the French No4 and will make his third appearance in the main draw after previous losses to Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev on Centre, having lost to Djokovic in their only previous meeting at the 2023 US Open. Follow Djokovic vs Muller live below, with Dom Smith on Centre Court at Wimbledon.
Novak Djokovic vs Alexandre Muller latest news
- First set Djokovic
- Second set Muller
- Third set Djokovic
GAME, SET AND MATCH DJOKOVIC -- Muller 1-6, 7-6(9-7), 2-6, 2-6 Djokovic
22:30 , Dom SmithDjokovic is through!
A good second serve from Djokovic prompts a missed return from Muller for 30-0, and three match points duly arrive when a deft net winner bypasses the Frenchman.
An ace finished things off as Djokovic makes it into the second round, where he’ll face British wildcard Dan Evans.
Muller 1-6, 7-6(9-7), 2-6, 2-5 Djokovic
22:26 , Dom SmithThe game begins with a battle of backhand slices, so many in fact that there are some chuckles from the crowd.
Djokovic wins that point and the next and suddenly it’s 0-30 and Muller is in a whole lot of trouble if he loses the next point, which he... doesn’t. Good winner.
However, he goes long with the next point and there are break points to be had. And Djokovic takes the very first. He’s a hold of serve away from the second round.
Muller 1-6, 7-6(9-7), 2-6, 2-4 Djokovic
22:23 , Dom SmithAn ace brings up 40-0 for Djokovic who must sense the end is close if he holds here.
With a backhand swing down the line, he does indeed. “New balls please” is the call from the umpire.
Muller 1-6, 7-6(9-7), 2-6, 2-3 Djokovic
22:18 , Dom SmithMuller won’t go away, though, and finds a nice winner back into the area Djokovic has vacated, which the Serb shows resign about as he runs past it.
Then Muller leaves a shot he thinks is headed out but it absolutely isn’t. It’s in. It’s 30-30.
Slapped winner for 30-40 Djokovic.
But Muller gets back level and an ace gives him advantage.
He holds.
Muller 1-6, 7-6(9-7), 2-6, 1-3 Djokovic
22:12 , Dom SmithAt 30-30, Muller senses his chance and winds up an awesome winner that beats Djokovic and earns him a break point.
Djokovic then hits a brutal ace down the T to square things up at deuce.
Advantage Djokovic, but out comes the biggest winner we’ve seen from Muller yet. Emphatic. Deuce...
Ace.
Game.
Muller 1-6, 7-6(9-7), 2-6, 1-2 Djokovic
22:05 , Dom SmithSwings and roundabouts in this forth set, as Djokovic after such a tough service game goes 0-40 up on Muller’s serve!
Muller bravely approaches the net with the first point and it seems to put of Djokovic, who fires into the trams.
Muller wins four straight points to win them all and get ahead with advantage. That is defended by Djokovic, and he then gets another chance to break.
Djokovic does it!
Muller 1-6, 7-6(9-7), 2-6, 1-1 Djokovic
21:57 , Dom SmithNow then... A close call at the baseline is called out from Djokovic’s shot and he goes 0-30 down. His response is to produce an ace. Standard.
And then a lovely point that draw applause from around the Court. Djokovic wins it as a lob from his opponent goes long. 30-30.
But the ball gets stuck under Djokovic’s racket and there is a break point for the Frenchman here. Superb line ace. The best of the match. Saved!
An ace seals the game, too. Nerveless stuff.
Muller roars ahead 30-0 on serve but then nets on consecutive points for 30-30.
Then come two net shots of Djokovic’s own, and Muller duly holds to get the fourth set underway.
THIRD SET DJOKOVIC -- Muller 1-6, 7-6(9-7), 2-6 Djokovic
21:46 , Dom SmithThis is more like it from Novak Djokovic, who bombards Muller with powerful forehand after powerful forehand to wear him down on the first point.
Soon enough it’s 40-0 and there are a trio of set points for the seven-time Wimbledon singles winner. A double fault is NOT what we expected from the first.
An ace sees him take the third set.
Muller 1-6, 7-6(9-7), 2-5 Djokovic
21:42 , Dom SmithWhat a point from Muller to get himself going on serve, swinging a two-handed backhand past Djokovic and into the open court. He then puts away an assured overhead smash.
A double fault - only just - gives Djokovic a break point, but he can’t take it because Muller’s serving this time is just too strong.
DOUBLE BREAK DJOKOVIC...
Muller 1-6, 7-6(9-7), 2-4 Djokovic
21:38 , Dom SmithDjokovic consolidates the break of save with a hold, featuring a blistering ace for 15-15.
Sealed with an ace, too. Clinical from the Serb.
Medical timeout for Muller now.
21:33 , Dom SmithYep, you read right. They’re all at it!
Muller 1-6, 7-6(9-7), 2-3 Djokovic
21:32 , Dom SmithDouble fault from Muller to start, so 0-15 Djokovic.
But he sends the 24-time Grand Slam winner darting all over the place and gets back for 15-15.
Then comes a magnificent drop-shot winner from Djokovic, itself coming from an attempted drop-shot by the unseeded Frenchman.
Djokovic senses a chance to break, yet his attempted line winner lands out.
Deuce.
And then a passing shot from Djokovic brings him a break point. It’s saved with deft class at the net by Muller.
Just as the game begins with a double fault, so does it end. A break for Djokovic. A breakthrough?
Muller 1-6, 7-6(9-7), 2-2 Djokovic
21:24 , Dom SmithDjokovic’s ace is spun out wide to the left of the court and all Muller can do it arrow into the net. That gives him another important hold of serve in a third set that is absolutely on a knife edge so far.
He's ok...
21:22 , Dom SmithOff we go again, the doctors have left the court.
Doctor on court
21:21 , Dom SmithNovak Djokovic has used a medical timeout and is speaking to a couple of doctors on court.
Muller 1-6, 7-6(9-7), 2-1 Djokovic
21:19 , Dom SmithA rapturous applause from all the crowd as Djokovic wins an amazing point despite being so far wide that he was fully off court for at least three seconds of it!
With a fierce swing and a shot into the net, Djokovic loses the game and Muller holds again. He’s proving very difficult to break down on serve for the world No6 since that one-sided opening set...
Muller 1-6, 7-6(9-7), 1-1 Djokovic
21:15 , Dom SmithMuller is playing some really excellent stuff and goes 0-15 up against serve with a slapped winner down into the corner.
Bit of trouble for Djokovic at 0-30, but he gets back to 30-30 on serve - yet to be broken in this match.
Muller plays an unforced error, into the net, for 40-30. But then deuce!
Djokovic comes alive with a thunderous winner but it’s deuce again with a precise return from Muller. Eventually, it’s Djokovic’s game when Muller nets.
Muller 1-6, 7-6(9-7), 1-0 Djokovic
21:08 , Dom SmithMuller serves first and wins the first point of the third set before working up a 30-15 lead.
Game Muller.
All change
21:01 , Dom SmithWell while Djokovic has been having a wee, the roof has been closing over Centre Court. We’re locked in for a long night ahead. Into the third of at least four sets we head...
SECOND SET MULLER -- Muller 1-6, 7-6(9-7) Djokovic
20:53 , Dom SmithDjokovic serves an ace after the changeover and is 7-6 up, so it’s another set point but on Muller’s serve. Djokovic’s shot is called out, just!
On and on and on we go. What a winner from Muller, who draws an applause as a earns his own set point!
Muller takes the set, putting the ball away by the corner! And then Djokovic for a loo break. Well, well, well.
Second change-over! Muller 1-6, 6-6(6-6) Djokovic
20:48 , Dom SmithDjokovic is the best player in the history of the game at tiebreaks, but he can do nothing with Muller’s fiery winner down the line for 1-1 in this particular one. A slice from Djokovic then goes long, and we stay on serve until a double fault from Muller makes it 4-2 at the change of ends.
Muller serves first after the change but bypasses Djokovic with a shot that goes long. 5-2 now and a long way back.
Hang on, though. Djokovic nets and loses half of that lead. Important point to come for the Serb, yet he nets again! Back on serve...
And then a superb winner from Muller that Djokovic can get nowhere near. He’s on the up here, the Frenchman!
But after a long rally, he concedes the next point and hands a set point to Djokovic on the Serb’s serve. Fine margins! And even finer when the next point sees Djokovic’s volley at the net land out, just. 6-6! Change of ends again!
TIEBREAK -- Muller 1-6, 6-6 Djokovic
20:40 , Dom SmithLong from Djokovic after a thunderous Muller serve, and by this time it’s 40-15.
Game. Tiebreak!
Muller 1-6, 5-6 Djokovic
20:35 , Dom SmithA clench of the fists from Djokovic as Muller forehands long for 30-0.
Ace. 40-0.
Ace. Game.
Now, can Djokovic break Muller’s serve and avoid the second set heading to a tiebreak?
Muller 1-6, 5-5 Djokovic
20:33 , Dom SmithDjokovic is easily one of the greatest returners of serve in the sport’s history, and he is showing it throughout this match.
Muller’s serves are fine but the Serb just keeps on getting them back over. Soon enough, it’s 0-40 and there are three set points for Djokovic.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion must wait a little longer, though! Muller comes roaring back to deuce.
BUT then one of the finest points of this entire match as three consecutive shots from Djokovic are arrowed into the corners of the net, the last of them beating Muller.
Some exceptional points are being played right now; let me just say that...
Djokovic goes long and Miller holds. This second set becomes first to seven, at five games all.
Muller 1-6, 4-5 Djokovic
20:24 , Dom SmithStupendous winner from Djokovic, who opens his body out and fires across the open court and past a shattered-looking Muller.
An ace finishes off the game, a MILES quicker game than Muller’s just now. Djokovic very much in control of this match.
Muller 1-6, 4-4 Djokovic
20:24 , Dom SmithWHAT a game this was.
A smart flick of the wrist from Muller sees him return a shot he didn’t look likely to get back over the net, but the subsequent pummel down the line is a chance or two for Djokovic to break.
Both chances are saved by Muller defiantly.
Djokovic then lobs Muller, whose ‘tweeny’ is too long. Advantage to the Serb. Saved again!
There’s even a Muller advantage, but he hits the tape straight after and we’re back to deuce in this marathon game. And then back again. And again.
Djokovic finally earns an advantage of his own from deuce after a few went Muller’s way, but that’s not converted either!
Muller gets it won.
Muller 1-6, 3-4 Djokovic
20:13 , Dom SmithEasy stuff from Djokovic. He gets through the seventh game of the second set by barely breaking a sweat, completing it with yet another ace. His serving has been tremendous this evening.
Muller 1-6, 3-3 Djokovic
20:09 , Dom SmithMuller is already in a tense service game when he shanks a forehand needlessly beyond the baseline for 30-40. But he then shows courage to come back with an immediate ace for deuce.
Muller has advantage when he plays a returnable shot, prompting one woman in the crowd to shout out midpoint: “Watcha do that for?!”
Funny, but not very kind! Just as well the Frenchman sees out the game with a thumping ace.
Muller 1-6, 2-3 Djokovic
20:02 , Dom SmithWell that is just simply world class. Djokovic is 30-0 up when he plays an outrageous lob over Muller. You can sense the crowd anticipating where it might land. Wouldn’t you just know it... it lands right in the corner of the court over a back-pedalling Muller.
Hold to love from the seven-time champ.
Muller 1-6, 2-2 Djokovic
19:59 , Dom SmithLong from Djokovic with the first point on the Muller serve, and the Frenchman doubles that lead with a serve across the Serb’s body.
Then a few “ooooo”s from the crowd as a second serve goes straight through Djokovic’s racket. Was there a hole in it there, Novak?
Hold to love. Good for Muller.
Muller 1-6, 1-2 Djokovic
19:55 , Dom SmithDjokovic is 30-15 when he hits an exceptional ace down the T, closing in once more on another routine service game.
Djokovic puts the game to bed with a lovely line winner, a forehand down the line. Muller could only watch.
Muller 1-6, 1-1 Djokovic
19:51 , Dom SmithBeautifully constructed point from Muller to push Djokovic into the extremities of the court, BUT he doesn’t have the finishing touch and nets on approach. Then an ace. Fair play. 15-15.
30-30.
40-40.
Narrowly missed slice from Muller brings up advantage and break point for Djokovic, but the world No6 is hit with an emphatic serve and smash.
Djokovic nets and Muller holds.
Muller 1-6, 0-1 Djokovic
19:46 , Dom SmithMuller earns his first point of the second set with a line shot that was VERY nearly out, the Hawkeye replay showing us as much.
Djokovic gets over the line on serve. Now Muller to serve...
FIRST SET DJOKOVIC -- Muller 1-6 Djokovic
19:41 , Dom SmithThat’s a stunning winner from Muller, opening his body up and hitting the line for 30-15 on serve, and a service game he must win to stay in the set.
A baseline shot each takes us to 40-30, but via deuce it’s Djokovic who comes through, winning the first set in just 30 minutes. Wow. He’s made SO FEW errors!
Muller 1-5 Djokovic
19:36Djokovic moves 40-15 ahead as Muller can only find the tramlines. Then Muller goes long at the baseline. It’s 5-1 now and Djokovic is a game away from the first set.
Muller 1-4 Djokovic
19:32 , Dom SmithMuller isn’t getting much luck at the moment with some tight net shots, all of which are clipping the net and landing out rather than in.
BUT, his net approach is significantly better. He responds to a Djokovic drop shot with an even defter one of his own, a winner to make it 30-30.
Djokovic won’t go away, and forces deuce with a stunning crosscourt backhand winner.
A long deuce it is, too, with Muller losing advantage when Djokovic pulls out an outrageous lob.
It sets the Serb up to win the game. Double break, ominous for Muller...
Muller 1-3 Djokovic
19:26 , Dom SmithDjokovic is in a real rush here, keen to get this done as soon as possible.
At 40-0 up, his opponent can only find the crosscourt tramlines. It’s 3-1.
Muller 1-2 Djokovic
19:22 , Dom SmithThere’s a long rally at 15-30 which culminates in Muller netting, to bring up two break points for Djokovic.
The following serve is SLAPPED into play but somehow amazingly returned by Djokovic. Muller nets, Djokovic breaks...
Muller 1-1 Djokovic
19:19 , Dom SmithAt 30-15 up, Djokovic powers an ace down the T, drawing an applause from those inside Centre Court.
With another exceptional ace, he gets the game won. Light work from the veteran!
Muller 1-0 Djokovic
19:16 , Dom SmithA confident start from Djokovic despite losing the opening game.
He pushes Muller all the way to deuce on serve and earns advantage when Muller double faults.
Eventually, on third deuce, Muller gets his hold of serve over the line.
Underway
19:11 , Dom SmithWe’re off! Muller to serve first
Here they are
19:04 , Dom SmithDjokovic and Muller are out on Centre Court and warming up!
Game, set, match Rinderknech
18:54 , Dom SmithIt’s all over on Centre Court, where an amazing shock has taken place. Alexander Zverev, the third seed, has been beaten by France’s unseeded Arthur Rinderknech in a five-set thriller. An incredible result.
Djokovic is up next...
Standard Sport prediction
18:41 , Dom SmithConsidering how dominant Djokovic was in his only previous meeting with Muller, it is hard not to see a similar result tonight.
It is true that his ageing body is another three years older than it was then, but Djokovic is still the world No6 and expected to go far. Muller is neither of those things.
Standard Sport prediction: Djokovic to win, in straight sets
Head to head (H2H) record
18:26 , Dom SmithDjokovic and Muller have only faced off once before on the Tour.
That meeting came in 2023 in the first round of the US Open, with Djokovic dropping only five games all match in a comprehensive 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 win.
Centre Court update
18:16 , Dom SmithWe’ve headed into a fifth set between Zverev, the No3 seed, and Rinderknech. That means Djokovic-Muller will start a little later than anticipated. My best guess would be that they’ll begin at around 7pm BST.
How to watch Wimbledon 2025 for free
18:00 , Dom SmithAs usual in the UK, the BBC have exclusive live free-to-air television coverage of Wimbledon throughout the 2025 Championships.
Coverage will initially begin in the mornings at 10.30am BST on BBC Two, with further coverage on BBC One from 2pm BST that afternoon.
BBC One’s broadcast will run until 6pm BST, with BBC Two going an extra hour until 7pm BST, when the Championships returns to BBC One for the evening matches and, finally, ‘Today at Wimbledon’.
Live blogs: You can also follow the action from SW19 with Standard Sport’s live blogs (just like this one), featuring analysis from reporters Matt Verri and myself, on the ground at SW19.
Hello and welcome!
17:47 , Dom SmithGood afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Novak Djokovic versus Alexandre Muller in the Wimbledon first round.
We’re coming to you live from Centre Court as Djokovic begins his tournament, a campaign he hopes will give him that all-important record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title.
The 38-year-old is fully aware that his best days are behind him, but he is still the No6 seed in the men’s draw and every bit a contender to win Wimbledon once more.
Play gets underway once the match between Alexander Zverev and Arthur Rinderknech has ended. They’re currently into a fifth set on Centre Court.
Meanwhile, we will have all the build-up to Djokovic-Muller so don’t go away…
