Compared to Messi, Djokovic jokes: "I only wanted to play 90 minutes, like him"

Lionel Messi and Novak Djokovic, both 39 years old, dominated the sports news this Tuesday (7), after delivering historic performances in their respective fields.

While Messi recovered from a missed penalty and led Argentina to the victory over Egypt, booking a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, Djokovic overcame Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime in five sets to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals.

After winning the Grand Slam in London, the Serbian tennis player heard a comment from a journalist at the press conference comparing him to Messi, and soon made a point of jokingly saying: "It would be good to play 90 minutes, like him". See below:

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Novak Djokovic asked about Lionel Messi "it would be nice to play 90 minutes like him" pic.twitter.com/1LLUIfwgHX

- asud (@asud683385) July 7, 2026

The comment, which made journalists laugh, makes even more sense in context: the victory over Aliassime came after a battle lasting 5 hours and 15 minutes, the longest match Djokovic has played at Wimbledon to date.

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In his eighth consecutive grass Grand Slam semi-final, the Serbian will now challenge the Italian Jannik Sinner, number 1 in the ATP rankings and current Wimbledon champion, on Friday (10).

"I won with a racket and a lot of heart"
At 39 years old, Djokovic once again surpassed Roger Federer's record. After achieving his 106th victory at the All England Club in the previous round, becoming the biggest match winner in the tournament's history, he has now become the first tennis player to play eight consecutive semi-finals at Wimbledon.

The qualification came after the longest match in Wimbledon quarter-final history. It took 5 hours and 15 minutes to compete against an opponent who made each point difficult and forced the Serb to seek physical and mental strength to stay alive in the fight for the title.

"I won with a racket and a lot of heart", summed up Djokovic. "I think everything depends on controlling nerves and the enormous tension we feel in matches like this. In the end, anyone could win. The score was balanced the entire time, including in the super tiebreak of the fifth set."

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Enzo Fernández scored Argentina's winning goal against Egypt - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA

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Messi celebrates the equalizer against Egypt - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA

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Enzo Fernández scored Argentina's winning goal against Egypt - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA

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Messi celebrates the equalizer against Egypt - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA

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Romero scored a header against Egypt - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA

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Egypt players celebrate second goal against Argentina - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA

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Egypt players celebrate second goal against Argentina - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 07: Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina reacts after conceding Egypt's second goal to Mostafa Zico #11 of Egypt during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) - FIFA via Getty Images

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 07: Mostafa Zico #11 of Egypt celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

(Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) - Getty Images

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 07: Yasser Ibrahim #2 of Egypt scores his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) - FIFA via Getty Images

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Messi regrets missed penalty against Egypt - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA

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Messi regrets missed penalty against Egypt - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA

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Messi regrets missed penalty against Egypt - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 07: Mostafa Shoubir #23 of Egypt celebrates after making a save on a penalty by Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Steph Chambers - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) - FIFA via Getty Images

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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 07: Yasser Ibrahim #2 of Egypt celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images) - Getty Images

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Lionel Messi misses a penalty for Argentina against Egypt in the World Cup - Buda Mendes/Getty Images

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Yasser Ibrahim scored a header against Argentina - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA

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Mostafa Shobeir, Egypt goalkeeper, saved Messi's penalty - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA

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Egypt players celebrate Yasser Ibrahim's goal - Photo: Disclosure - FIFA

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Djokovic aims for records and duel with Jannik Sinner
The Serb also highlighted the meaning of the victory. "What can I say? It's moments like this that keep me playing tennis. I wish it was the final so I don't have to worry about how my body will wake up tomorrow. But I'm happy to have won."

Djokovic's quest for an eighth Wimbledon title, a mark that would equal Roger Federer, and a 25th Grand Slam trophy, which would put him ahead of Australian Margaret Court as the biggest winner in history, will continue before Sinner.

"For me, it's just another semi-final. I'll look at these numbers when I finish my career," he said. "Now it's time to work. I still need to recover. I'm still in the tournament and I'll face the best player in the world in a few days."

Seed number seven, Djokovic wasted some opportunities in the long tiebreak of the first set, but ended up winning when Auger-Aliassime missed a volley and delivered a partial that seemed to be under the Canadian's control.

Historic match had complaints and balance
In the second set, a double fault from Djokovic allowed the break that put Auger-Aliassime in front by 5-3. The Canadian confirmed the serve afterwards and tied the match, shortly before the roof of the Central Court closed, at around 7:40 pm local time.

The decision provoked complaints from the Serb, but he quickly resumed his concentration.

In the third set, he raised the level of his shots, managed to break in the sixth game and took control of the match again.

Auger-Aliassime lost the first service game of the fourth half and took out his frustration by hitting the chair with his racket. Still, he reacted, won the tiebreak and took the duel to a fifth set that remained balanced from start to finish.

Djokovic decides in the super tiebreak and advances
Neither of the two tennis players managed to break their opponent's serve during the 12 games of the decisive part. The decision was made in the match tiebreak, when Djokovic made his experience prevail and closed the tiebreaker 10 to 4.

Upon confirming the classification, the Serb received a standing ovation from the Central Court audience, who watched one of the most exciting games of the edition. The victory reinforces his campaign towards another decision at Wimbledon.

"I told my kids to go to sleep after the fourth set, but they didn't want to listen to me," said Djokovic, smiling. "I'm glad they stayed awake, because, honestly, that was one of the best games I've played on this court in my entire career."

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Source: CNN