Wimbledon 2026 - Djokovic vs Tsitsipas LIVE!
Novak Djokovic returns to Centre Court tonight as he faces Stefanos Tsitsipas in a much-anticipated second-round showdown at Wimbledon. The 39-year-old continues his bid for a 25th Grand Slam and, particularly with no Carlos Alcaraz to contend with, this fortnight could be the best chance he gets.
Djokovic was not entirely convincing in the first round, labouring past Wu Yibing in four sets. That was his first competitive match on grass this year and he will hope to now start going through the gears. Djokovic has a dominant record over Tsitsipas, winning the last 11 matches between them, but the pair have not played since the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Tsitsipas was once among the sport’s elite but he is now ranked 87th in the world. The Greek has never looked particularly at home at Wimbledon, not making it past the fourth round in eight attempts. Even more concerning to him will be that he is not reached the third round of a Grand Slam in more than two years. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below!
Djokovic vs Tsitsipas latest news
- Game, set and match Djokovic!
- Djokovic cruising towards victory
- Djokovic takes first set 6-3
- Who will the winner face?
Tsitsipas 3-6 4-6 2-6 Djokovic
21:32 , Matt Verri
Djokovic briefly dropping his absurd level. Double fault and then a backhand into the net. 15-30.
And another unforced error. 15-40, two break points. Well then.
First one saved as Tsitsipas goes wide with the return. Should have got that back in. He should have got that in too - routine slice sent long. So poor. Deuce.
Unreturned first serve brings up a first match point for Djokovic.
Which he takes! Tsitsipas throws in one final unforced error and Djokovic has absolutely strolled into the third round. What a performance that was.
Tsitsipas 3-6 4-6 2-5* Djokovic
21:27 , Matt Verri
This is turning into a mauling. Tsitsipas with another overhead and it ends up in another point won by Djokovic. Reading the Greek like a book.
Brutal hitting and it’s followed by a perfect drop shot. Djokovic going through the full setlist now. 0-30.
Dear me. Dismissively swats a crosscourt return for a clean winner. 0-40. Three break points.
It’s just too good. Tsitsipas can only watch as the lob leaves him helpless. Djokovic a double break up!
And he gets a standing ovation on his way back to his chair.
Tsitsipas 3-6 4-6 *2-4 Djokovic
21:23 , Matt Verri
Can Tsitsipas offer up anything even resembling a late twist?
Not on this evidence. Another ace, and then another unforced error from Tsitsipas. 30-0.
Don’t want to say Tsitsipas got that forehand slightly wrong... but the umpire had to swerve away from the ball. No further comment.
Still time for one more glorious forehand winner down the line from Djokovic to hold to love. Two games away. He’s playing incredible tennis.
Tsitsipas 3-6 4-6 2-3* Djokovic
21:19 , Matt Verri
It’s not in Tsitsipas’ interest to have longer rallies. Another one is won by Djokovic, just outlasts the Greek.
Tsitsipas then off balance as he launches a forehand a long, long way beyond the baseline. Two break points for Djokovic.
One will do! Tsitsipas’ backhand fails him and Djokovic is motoring towards the finish line now.
Tsitsipas 3-6 4-6 2-2* Djokovic
21:15 , Matt Verri
Some fairly ridiculous stats from Djokovic’s racket. He’s hit 27 winners and just six unforced errors. Incredible ratio.
There’s another winner. Basically sat down on the baseline to get to that ball and still finds the power. Too good.
Had been a clinic from Djokovic this game, but that drop shot isn’t the best and Tsitsipas wins the point.
Not that it matters. The Greek slices long and that’s another hold.
Tsitsipas 3-6 4-6 2-1* Djokovic
21:11 , Matt Verri
Tsitsipas takes a big old swing at thin air. Hand up in apology from Djokovic. Not his fault it skidded off the baseline.
Djokovic nearly has a couple of break points, but he can’t quite make the crosscourt pass. 30-30.
Great point and Tsitsipas comes out on top. Laces the backhand pass and a diving Djokovic can’t get it back.
Ace out wide and that’s a good battling hold.
Tsitsipas 3-6 4-6 *1-1 Djokovic
21:08 , Matt Verri
Djokovic does just make serving and volleying look so easy. Cruises up to the net and cushions the ball into the open court.
Not a volley next point but just as dismissive, forehand whipped past Tsitsipas. 40-0.
Hold to love. Tsitsipas still hasn’t had any break points since the fifth game of the first set.
Tsitsipas 3-6 4-6 1-0* Djokovic
21:05 , Matt Verri
Tsitsipas has no confidence with the overheads. He needs three attempts this time and even the last one was only just over Djokovic’s head. Had so much empty court to aim for.
Maybe just stick to aces. His 14th of the match makes it 40-0.
Should be an easy hold, but a forehand error and a double fault have Djokovic interested again.
More sublime defence from Djokovic, nearly doing the splits behind the baseline, but this time Tsitsipas does find the winner.
21:01 , Matt Verri
Tsitsipas has gone off court after that set.
Can’t imagine he’s in a rush to return. Even when he had good spells it never felt like enough to really trouble Djokovic.
Barely an hour played and he’s got a mountain to climb to avoid defeat.
Tsitsipas 3-6 4-6 Djokovic
20:56 , Matt Verri
Tsitsipas lands a forehand right on the baseline, but Djokovic just flicks it back into the open court. Unforced error then gives him three set points.
One will do. Tsitsipas with another forehand into the net and Djokovic is a set away from victory. Cruising.
Tsitsipas 3-6 4-5* Djokovic
20:54 , Matt Verri
Trouble here for Tsitsipas. Forehand that lets him down this time and Djokovic will be sensing blood at 30-30. Such a crucial point in the set too.
But a 135mph ace is a decent response. A shanked forehand next point is not. Deuce.
Terrible shot from Tsitsipas and an awful time for it. Wild unforced error. Break point for Djokovic.
And he does break! Sensational point. Tsitsipas has two chances at the overhead to finish it. Djokovic keeps lobbing it back, keeps staying in the point... and Tsitsipas then finds the net.
Djokovic will serve for the set.
Tsitsipas 3-6 *4-4 Djokovic
20:48 , Matt Verri
Djokovic left in a heap on the ground as he dives to make a volley. Does not make getting up look particularly easy and he drags himself back to the baseline.
Still never in danger in the game. Mixture of top serving and targeting the Tsitsipas backhand continues to work.
Tsitsipas 3-6 4-3* Djokovic
20:44 , Matt Verri
Forehand winner from Tsitsipas too good and the big serving is there again.
Not quite so powerful to seal the game, but it’s a perfectly placed swinging ace. Another rapid hold.
Tsitsipas 3-6 *3-3 Djokovic
20:42 , Matt Verri
Here is a rally and a good one at that. Tsitsipas forcing Djokovic further and further behind the baseline and eventually forces the error.
Djokovic then shows brilliant touch at the net. Ball hammered at him but he just drops the volley over on the stretch.
Tsitsipas didn’t do much wrong in that game but he’s lost it to 15. Dominates the last point but is helpless as the lob sails over him and lands perfectly inside the baseline.
Tsitsipas 3-6 3-2* Djokovic
20:37 , Matt Verri
Blink and you’ll miss a game.
More aces, more unreturned serves, more routine points on serve.
Another hold to love, this time for Tsitsipas. Have a rally, lads.
Tsitsipas 3-6 *2-2 Djokovic
20:35 , Matt Verri
Tsitsipas little more than a spectator in that game.
Lobs up one return and stands walking across the court for the next point, all while Djokovic strolls forward and puts the ball away. Easy as you like.
Hold to love. On serve still in the second.
Tsitsipas 3-6 2-1* Djokovic
20:31 , Matt Verri
We continue to rattle through these games.
Tsitsipas with three quick points behind his serve. In a good rhythm at the moment.
That emphasises the point - 135mph ace to hold.
Tsitsipas 3-6 *1-1 Djokovic
20:29 , Matt Verri
Shot! Tsitsipas on the run and he leathers a winner down the line. Even Djokovic applauds it. 0-30. Chance here to take early control of the set.
Tsitsipas is skipping in frustration next point as he slices a poor return in the net. Should have got himself into that point.
And he barely lays a racket on the next two serves. 40-30. Ace out wide. Ruthless from Djokovic to see off that threat.
Tsitsipas 3-6 1-0* Djokovic
20:25 , Matt Verri
Decent clue that slice from Tsitsipas was sailing out, as he shouts out as soon as he hit it.
That’s a wild forehand to follow it, been too many of those wayward shots. 30-30 and Tsitsipas is under pressure immediately in the second set.
But two timely first serves get him out of trouble.
Tsitsipas 3-6 Djokovic
20:20 , Matt Verri
Tsitsipas does mis-time a lot of shots. Grass is blamed for the latest one, as he marches forward and points at the ground in disgust.
Two set points for Djokovic - he needs only one.
Clean, clean hitting. Backhand winner down the line and Djokovic takes the opening set in 27 minutes.
Tsitsipas 3-5* Djokovic
20:18 , Matt Verri
Two swings of the racket and Tsitsipas is 30-0.
Djokovic stalls his progress with a lovely return winner, but it is only a minor delay.
Ace out wide and that’s a hold to 15. Djokovic will serve for a one-set lead on Centre.
Tsitsipas *2-5 Djokovic
20:14 , Matt Verri
Djokovic not really having any sort of stress in his service games.
Another ace, before Tsitsipas misfires with another backhand. 40-0 in a hurry.
First serve doesn’t came back. Hold. Djokovic a game away from the set.
Tsitsipas 2-4* Djokovic
20:12 , Matt Verri
That looked huge and it was. Tsitsipas with a 133mph ace down the T.
Then one at 130mph that cramps Djokovic for room and he barely gets a racket on it.
That’s one way to race to a hold to love.
Tsitsipas *1-4 Djokovic
20:09 , Matt Verri
Djokovic clearly feeling he needs to reciprocate some of that generosity. Double fault and then a wild backhand of his own. 0-30.
Three break points! Djokovic off balance, weak forehand into the net. What is going on?
First saved. Djokovic pulls out of the volley at the very last second and is grateful to see the ball float out. Big first serve saves the second too.
And... he sees off the third too! Best point of the match by a long, long, long way, even if that is a low bar. Tsitsipas goes for the forehand down the line, just wide.
Djokovic makes it five points in a row to wrap up a hold. Firmly in control of the set.
Tsitsipas 1-3* Djokovic
20:03 , Matt Verri
That’s very loose from Tsitsipas. Ball flies miles long and we’ve got a bit of intrigue in this game at 15-30.
And another backhand goes sailing beyond the baseline. Two break points Djokovic.
What a mess that was from the Greek. Gifts Djokovic the break with three really poor unforced errors.
Tsitsipas *1-2 Djokovic
20:00 , Matt Verri
Three games in and we’ve had six aces. Djokovic with three in that game alone.
Good news for those filtering back into Centre Court after getting something to eat following the previous match. Haven’t missed a thing.
Tsitsipas 1-1* Djokovic
19:58 , Matt Verri
Both playing like they’ve got no interesting in testing the curfew. Much appreciated.
Tsitsipas’ turn to race to a hold, thundering down his first ace. Barely had a rally to speak of so far.
Tsitsipas *0-1 Djokovic
19:55 , Matt Verri
Ace count up and running nice and early for Djokovic.
Nice comfy hold to kick things off, sealed with a backhand winner flicked down the line.
Not long now...
19:48 , Matt Verri
Right then, players are out.
Couple of minutes left of the warm-up and then we’ll be up and running.
Djokovic will serve first.
Roof shut
19:42 , Matt Verri
Centre Court roof has been shut for this match.
Happened last night with Serena Williams’ match too. Decision made to stop a disruption in an hour or when the light starts to fade.
Players due on court in the next few minutes.
Curfew watch?
19:39 , Matt Verri
Could Djokovic and Tsitsipas end up in a bit of a race against time?
Remember the Wimbledon curfew kicks in at 11pm, so play can’t go beyond that.
Gives us about three matches for this match to be played to a conclusion. If not, they’ll be back tomorrow.
At last!
19:30 , Matt Verri
After all that, Andreeva then gets broken herself and Krejcikova seals an epic three-set win.
That means Djokovic and Tsitsipas are next up on Centre!
Expect them to walk out in about 15 minutes.
Krejcikova struggling at the finish line
19:18 , Matt Verri
Absolutely extraordinary game on Centre Court.
Krejcikova is serving for the match and she’s been doing so for more than 13 minutes!
Seven match points have come. Seven match points have gone.
Centre Court update...
18:54 , Matt Verri
Yes, I know you’re all watching the football.
So a quick update on what’s happening over on Centre. It’s a tight, gruelling deciding set. Almost 40 minutes played in it and it’s only 3-2.
Andreeva serving to level things up. Still Djokovic and Tsitsipas wait.
Who will the winner face?
18:38 , Matt Verri
A third-round clash with Arthur Rinderknech is waiting for the winner of Djokovic’s match with Tsitsipas.
The big-serving Frenchman saw off Martin Damm Jr in straight sets earlier today.
This is the second year in a row Rinderknech has reached the third round at Wimbledon. He has never made it to the fourth.
Made to wait!
18:23 , Matt Verri
Andreeva and Krejcikova have indeed gone to a decider, as looked likely.
Every chance we’re in for another long night at Wimbledon. Imagine the roof will be closed for at least some of Djokovic and Tsitsipas’ clash.
Standard Sport prediction
18:10 , Matt Verri
Tsitsipas has not beaten Djokovic since 2019, losing the last 11 matches between the pair.
On Centre Court, where Djokovic is at home probably more than anywhere in the world, it is hard to see that awful run ending.
Djokovic did not look great in the first round and Tsitsipas has the tools to maybe take a set off him, but the 39-year-old should be comfortable enough in progressing.
Djokovic in four sets.
Start time
17:57 , Matt Verri
These two are the final match on Centre Court this evening.
They’ll be on after the conclusion of Mirra Andreeva’s match with Barbora Krejcikova.
Could still be a while yet. Andreeva took the first set but Krejcikova is 5-2 up in the second and a game away from forcing a decider.
If it does go to a third set, Djokovic and Tsitsipas likely won’t be out on court before 7:15pm.
Good evening!
17:45 , Matt Verri
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas!
It’s a big second-round clash at Wimbledon on Centre Court.
Rumour has it there might be some other sport going on right night somewhere else in the world.
Don’t believe it. Here is where you need to be.
