Novak Djokovic may have advanced to the second round of Wimbledon 2025, but concerns over his fitness took center stage after a turbulent opening match against France’s Alexandre Muller. The seven-time Wimbledon champion looked in dominant form early on, but his performance took an unexpected dip midway through the contest, leaving fans and pundits wondering about his physical condition.
A promising start turned troubling
Djokovic began the first-round clash with his trademark precision and flair, cruising through the opening set 6-1. However, as the third set unfolded, Djokovic twice summoned medical assistance, hinting at something more than fatigue. The 38-year-old eventually secured a 6-1, 6-7(7), 6-2, 6-2 victory, but not without raising eyebrows.
In his post-match on-court interview, Novak Djokovic was transparent about the mid-match slump, describing a baffling physical dip that disrupted his rhythm.
“To be quite frank I went from feeling my absolute best for a set and a half to my absolute worst for 45 minutes,” Djokovic revealed. “Whether it was a stomach bug, I don’t know what it is. I struggled with that.”
Medical timeout and recovery
Midway through the third set, Djokovic appeared visibly uncomfortable, prompting medical staff to intervene. While speculation swirled about the nature of his ailment, Novak Djokovic himself admitted uncertainty regarding the cause. His condition, however, seemed to improve later in the match, thanks to what he jokingly referred to as a “doctor’s miracle pills.”
“The energy kind of kicked back after some doctor’s miracle pills and I managed to finish the match on a good note,” he added.
Despite the scare, the Serbian legend managed to raise his level once more, showcasing resilience and tactical mastery to close out the match in four sets.
Eyes on the next round
Next up for Djokovic is Britain's Dan Evans, who advanced with a straight-sets win over Jay Clarke. Although Djokovic’s grit remains unquestionable, his physical state will be closely monitored as he continues his quest for an eighth Wimbledon crown.
Meanwhile, tennis great Andy Roddick weighed in on Novak Djokovic’s chances, stating his belief that the Serb still has the tools to make the final — fitness permitting.