Why is Safiullin pushing Djokovic through pain at Wimbledon?

Last updated: 5 July 2026, 16:09 BST

Three break points. That was Roman Safiullin’s position at 16:09 BST, serving up another twist in a Centre Court match Novak Djokovic had appeared to control. Djokovic led 7-6 (8-6), 6-3, but the qualifier had resumed after treatment and was still searching for a route back into the contest.

The Bottom Line

• Djokovic led 7-6 (8-6), 6-3 after taking a tight first-set tie-break and the only break of the second set.
• Safiullin broke early in the third set, but Djokovic immediately broke back.
• The Russian qualifier then called for the trainer at 3-2 and received treatment around his hip area before continuing.
• Djokovic received a warning after an angry outburst and was visibly frustrated despite leading by two sets.
• At the latest BBC update, Safiullin had reached 0-40 on Djokovic’s serve, earning three break points.

Breaking It Down

Safiullin arrived on Centre Court with far more mileage in his legs than a typical fourth-round opponent. The world No 132 had come through qualifying, then upset 12th seed Andrey Rublev in the first round and beat 24th seed Joao Fonseca in the third. BBC Sport also reported that he had played three consecutive five-set matches since the final qualifying round, a punishing workload for a player whose serious hip injury had kept him out for six months after last year’s US Open.

The first set offered his clearest opening. Safiullin served for it, but Djokovic broke back and dragged the set into a tie-break. The qualifier led 3-1 there and later fought off two set points, yet Djokovic eventually closed it 8-6. The live Wimbledon coverage described a match in which Safiullin repeatedly found chances but could not hold the pressure long enough to turn them into a lead.

Djokovic’s grip tightened in the second set. He broke for 4-2 after repeatedly getting looks at Safiullin’s second serve, then served out the set 6-3 with a serve-and-volley finish. BBC commentary data said Djokovic’s return quality rose from 7.7 in previous rounds to 8.9 in the second set, matching the visual pattern: he was not playing cleanly, but he was making Safiullin play one extra ball at the crucial moments.

The third set changed the mood. Safiullin broke for 2-0 as Djokovic grew angry and received a warning, only for the Serb to break straight back after three missed forehands from the qualifier. At 3-2, Safiullin called for the trainer and lay on the grass while treatment focused on the left hip or hip-flexor area. The exact injury was not disclosed. He got back to his feet, continued, and then produced a forehand winner and a cross-court backhand to reach three break points on Djokovic’s serve, according to the BBC live score.

Why This Matters

This match is not simply about a favourite moving towards another quarter-final. Safiullin’s path has combined qualifying rounds, marathon matches and two seeded upsets, all after a long absence caused by a hip problem. That context explains why the medical timeout mattered: the question was not only whether he could trouble Djokovic, but whether his body could keep absorbing the strain of the run.

Djokovic’s side of the story is equally revealing. At 39, the seven-time Wimbledon champion was two sets ahead while still looking dissatisfied with his level. He had been broken, warned and drawn into long stretches of frustration, yet he repeatedly shut down Safiullin’s momentum. For British viewers, the tension is happening on Wimbledon’s main stage and is available through BBC coverage; the day-seven viewing guide says every match from all 18 courts is available on BBC iPlayer.

What Comes Next

The immediate focus is the rest of the third set. Safiullin had resumed after treatment and, at the latest update, was pressing Djokovic with three break points at 0-40. The result was not yet confirmed in the supplied reports.

Centre Court’s later schedule includes Aryna Sabalenka against Naomi Osaka, followed by Jannik Sinner against Shintaro Mochizuki. The Wimbledon men’s final is scheduled for Sunday, 12 July, and will not start before 4pm.

FAQ

What is the Djokovic vs Safiullin score?

At 16:09 BST on 5 July 2026, Djokovic led 7-6 (8-6), 6-3, while Safiullin was 3-2 up in the third set and held three break points at 0-40.

Why did Roman Safiullin take a medical timeout?

He called for the trainer at 3-2 in the third set. Coverage said he gestured towards his left hip or hip flexor, but no exact diagnosis had been disclosed.

How did Djokovic win the first set?

Safiullin served for the set, Djokovic broke back, and the set went to a tie-break. Djokovic won it 8-6.

Where can UK viewers watch Wimbledon?

BBC One, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer are carrying coverage, with every match from all 18 courts available live on BBC iPlayer.

When is the Wimbledon 2026 men’s final?

The men’s final is scheduled for Sunday, 12 July, and will not start before 4pm.