Day 4 at Wimbledon delivered a thrilling mix of tennis drama, as Novak Djokovic pressed forward in his pursuit of an eighth Wimbledon crown and a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.
The Serbian legend, despite battling a recent stomach ailment, demonstrated his trademark resilience by defeating Alexandre Muller in the opening round. His ability to overcome adversity and deliver under pressure once again reminded fans of his extraordinary longevity and mental strength.
British attention turned to Centre Court, where 35-year-old Dan Evans geared up for a crucial second-round showdown with Djokovic. Evans, enjoying a late-career resurgence, looked to replicate his victory over the world No. 1 from their previous clash in Monte Carlo four years ago.
With his playing style well-suited to grass, British fans hoped for a memorable performance against the tournament favorite.
Meanwhile, veteran Marin Cilic posed a formidable threat in the men’s draw. The 36-year-old Croatian, a former Wimbledon finalist, made a strong comeback following multiple knee surgeries, recently capturing the Nottingham title.
Jack Draper, one of Britain’s brightest prospects, acknowledged the magnitude of facing a player of Cilic’s caliber in the early stages.
British tennis was also represented by 22-year-old Jack Pinnington Jones, who recently turned professional. He faced Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, the No. 22 seed, on Court 18.
This clash underlined the continued rise of Italian tennis, spearheaded by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Sinner, under the guidance of coach Darren Cahill, looked to extend his dominant form in a Centre Court match against Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic.
In the women’s competition, early exits by top seeds like Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula opened the door for other contenders. Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina prepared for a tough encounter against two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Maria Sakkari on No. 1 Court.
Meanwhile, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, still seeking a deep run at Wimbledon, was set to face Caty McNally of the United States. Swiatek, who had faced some off-court accommodation issues, appeared to be finding her groove on grass.
Among the standout young stars, 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva continued to impress. Now seeded No. 7, she returned to Wimbledon with greater expectations, facing Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti.
Despite the increased pressure, her maturity on court was evident. Andreeva’s admiration for Andy Murray remained strong, with a framed tweet from him still displayed by her bedside.