Novak Djokovic has equaled Roger Federer’s record for the most match wins by a male player at Wimbledon, reaching 105 victories at the tournament. The Serbian, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, advanced to the next round by defeating 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech in a four-set match, 7-5, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6.

Djokovic, 39, described the match as particularly challenging, citing the physical and mental demands of facing the 6-foot-5 French player, who serves powerfully and plays aggressively at the net. Djokovic noted he was “intimidated” by Rinderknech’s height, serve speed, and playing style, which aimed to disrupt his rhythm. Despite losing the third set quickly and experiencing some muscle issues during the match, Djokovic was able to recover and secure the win.

The victory places Djokovic level with Federer for the most match wins at Wimbledon, with both players now holding 105 victories each. Djokovic expressed his appreciation for the milestone and suggested a friendly invitation to Federer, who has retired, to compete for a 106th Wimbledon win, saying, “Let’s just call Roger to come.” He reflected on the significance of Wimbledon in his career, describing it as a “dream childhood tournament,” but emphasized his current focus on winning matches one at a time rather than the record itself.

Looking ahead, Djokovic will face Russian qualifier Roman Safiullin in the upcoming round. Safiullin, a former top-40 player who dropped to No.132 due to injury, defeated the No.24 seed in a surprising upset. Safiullin’s emotional reaction after winning hinted at the pressures and challenges he has overcome.

Djokovic’s upcoming match with Safiullin will attract attention not only for its competitive potential but also as part of Djokovic’s ongoing pursuit to surpass Federer’s record at Wimbledon.