The 39-year-old Djokovic battled past the qualifier 7-6 (8-6), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in a hard-fought fourth-round encounter. The win also secured his place in the Wimbledon quarter-finals for a record 17th time, further underlining his dominance at the grass-court Grand Slam.

Djokovic faced stiff resistance from Safiullin, who entered the tournament ranked outside the top tier and had recently returned from a lengthy injury layoff. The Russian threatened an upset early in the contest and even held a significant advantage in the opening set before Djokovic fought back to claim the tie-break.

The Serbian veteran appeared frustrated at times during the match. In the third set, after losing a service game, he hit a ball in anger and received a warning from the chair umpire. Speaking after the match, Djokovic acknowledged his reaction and apologised.

“I am known for showing emotions on court. It happened again today and I apologise for that. Tennis is as much a mental battle as it is physical, and staying focused is never easy,” Djokovic said.

With the victory, Djokovic moved one step closer to equalling Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon men’s singles titles. He is also chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam singles crown, which would extend his all-time record.

In the quarter-finals, Djokovic will face Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime. A potential semi-final clash against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner remains on the cards if both players progress.

Sinner continued his impressive run at Wimbledon by defeating Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki in straight sets. The Italian top seed secured a 6-3, 7-6 (7-0), 6-3 victory to reach the quarter-finals for the fifth consecutive year. He will next take on Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff.

While Djokovic’s achievement dominated the men’s draw, the women’s competition witnessed one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.

Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka produced a stunning performance to defeat current World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6 (7-2). The victory marked Osaka’s first-ever appearance in the Wimbledon quarter-finals and ended a losing streak against the Belarusian star.

The Japanese player looked in complete control from the outset, using powerful serving and aggressive baseline play to dictate proceedings. Osaka raced through the opening set in just over half an hour before holding her nerve in a tense second-set tie-break.

The result was particularly significant as Sabalenka had won all three of their previous meetings over the past three months. Osaka’s victory signals a strong return to form and places her among the leading contenders for the title.

Elsewhere, American star Coco Gauff advanced to the last eight after overcoming Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic in a three-set battle. Gauff will now meet fellow American Jessica Pegula, who also booked her place in the quarter-finals with a comeback win over Iva Jovic.

With several former champions and top-ranked players still in contention, Wimbledon is heading into an exciting final week, highlighted by Djokovic’s historic record and Osaka’s headline-grabbing upset.

French Open prize row deepens as Sabalenka warns boycott

Aryna Sabalenka French Open prize money dispute intensifies, with top players pushing for a 22% revenue share and hinting at a possible boycott if demands remain unmet.

The simmering Aryna Sabalenka French Open prize money dispute took a sharper turn on Tuesday, with the world No. 1 openly warning that players could consider boycotting the tournament if revenue-sharing concerns are not addressed. The remarks come amid growing unease among top-ranked players over what they see as an imbalance between tournament earnings and athlete compensation.

Sabalenka’s comments, made during the ongoing Italian Open, reflect a broader sentiment across both the men’s and women’s tours. Several leading players have in recent days backed calls for a significant revision in how Grand Slam revenues are distributed.

Organisers of the French Open had earlier announced a 9.5% increase in the total prize pool for this year, taking it to €61.7 million (approximately ₹686 crore). While the figure marks a notable rise, players argue it falls short of expectations, particularly given the tournament’s growing commercial success.

According to estimates shared by player groups, the proportion of revenue allocated to athletes could decline from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% by 2026. Players are instead seeking a 22% share, aligning with compensation structures seen in ATP and WTA 1000-level events.

Speaking candidly, Aryna Sabalenka stressed the central role players play in the sport’s ecosystem. “Without us, there would be no tournament and no entertainment,” she said, adding that athletes deserve a larger portion of the revenues they help generate.

She went a step further, suggesting that a boycott may become inevitable if discussions fail to yield results. “There will come a time when we will boycott it. I think this is the only way left to fight for our rights,” she noted, signalling a hardening stance.

Sabalenka is not alone. American star Coco Gauff has publicly supported the demand for better revenue sharing, while men’s world No. 1 Jannik Sinner is among several top-10 players who have expressed dissatisfaction.

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that informal discussions among players have intensified over the past week, with a rare level of unity emerging across both tours. This alignment between leading male and female players could increase pressure on organisers ahead of the clay-court major.

The dispute is not limited to prize money alone. Players have also raised concerns about long-term welfare, including access to pensions, improved healthcare support, and greater representation in decision-making processes.

They argue that while Grand Slam events generate substantial profits, the benefits for players—especially those outside the top ranks—remain limited. The issue has been a recurring one in professional tennis, but the current push appears more coordinated.

So far, officials associated with the French Open have not issued a formal response to the latest statements. According to tournament insiders, discussions on financial structures are typically handled behind closed doors, though public pressure could accelerate engagement.

Past disagreements between players and organisers have usually been resolved without major disruption. However, the prospect of a boycott—even if remote—raises concerns about the tournament’s global image and scheduling.

With the French Open just weeks away, the coming days could prove crucial. Whether through formal negotiations or informal dialogue, both sides may be compelled to find common ground.

For now, the Aryna Sabalenka French Open prize money dispute underscores a broader shift in athlete expectations—one where players are increasingly willing to challenge established systems in pursuit of what they see as a fairer share.