Wimbledon 2024 LIVE: Tennis updates as Novak Djokovic returns after spat with fans

The world No 1 was clearly under the weather from the start and, with the match at one set apiece, left the court at the start of the third set for more than 10 minutes.

A doctor checked his pulse and blood pressure and thought the Italian returned and continued to battle – forcing a deciding fifth set – Medvedev prevailed after four hours of action.

Speaking in his press conference afterwards, the 22-year-old revealed how he was feeling out on court.

Carlos Alcaraz has reflected on his semi-final against Daniil Medvedev, a rematch of last year

This was just one of the many incredible rallies during the Alcaraz v Paul match yesterday

Rule out Daniil Medvedev at your peril. That was the message sent to the rest of the draw by the freakishly outlandish but effective world number five, who ripped up the formbook on quarter-finals day at Wimbledon. Sure, Jannik Sinner was under the weather, far from oneself, but the level throughout remained high and it was Medvedev who held his nerve.

For two intoxicating sets of full-throttle baseline tennis, there was little to choose between these two. But then it was the Italian– six years younger at 22 – whose health deteriorated on tennis’ biggest stage. The world No 1 left the court for 10 minutes but this was no injury. As a doctor checked his pulse and blood pressure, Sinner looked a man absolutely spent, his face white and movement unusually dawdle.

But he returned, a second wave came and as the adrenaline kicked in, the momentum swung back and forth. Sinner, commendably, stretched it five sets. But after a sludging contest of exactly four hours, it was Medvedev who emerged victorious, sealing a berth in the Wimbledon semi-finals – with a 6-7(7), 6-4, 7-6(4), 2-6 6-3 win – for the second straight year where, again, he will meet Carlos Alcaraz.

Read Kieran Jackson’s full report from Centre Court:

By the time all was said and done, Alcaraz emerged as a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 victor and appears well on track to retain the title he won 12 months ago, especially now world No 1 and presumed biggest challenger Sinner is on his way back to Italy.

Yet the scoreline doesn’t begin to tell the story of a remarkable contest where the No 3 seed was pushed to his limits and consistently came up with the most spectacular answers. That he clapped his beaten foe off the court at the end of the contest gives some idea of what the pair had experienced together.

Read Luke Baker’s full report from Court 1:

Wimbledon has announced a change to the finals schedule this weekend with the Mixed Doubles final moving to Sunday from its original Thursday slot.

Persistent rain over the last few days has meant play has only been consistently possible on Centre Court and Court 1, which both have a roof available.

This has meant the doubles events have been severely impacted, with some first-round Mixed Doubles matches not yet completed on outside courts.

As a result, tournament director Jamie Baker announced on Tuesday that the Mixed Doubles final would be moved to Sunday, following the Men’s Singles final on Centre Court, with the Women’s Doubles reverting to Saturday evening following the Men’s Doubles.

CENTRE COURT – 13:30 START

Elena Rybakina (KAZ) [4] vs Elina Svitolina (UKR) [21]

Alex de Minaur (AUS) [9] vs Novak Djokovic (SRB) [2]

Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) [13] vs Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) [31]

Lorenzo Musetti (ITA) [25] vs Taylor Fritz (USA) [13]

During a heated on-court interview, the seven-time champion said: “Well, to all the fans that had respect and stayed here tonight thank you very much from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate it.

“And to all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player, in this case me, have a gooooood night. Gooood night, gooood night. Very good night.”

Three-time champion McEnroe, who had his fair share of run-ins with crowds during his colourful career, revealed he would have told Djokovic “well done” for calling out the spectators.

“I’ve played in much more hostile environments, trust me, you guys can’t touch me,” Novak Djokovic assured the Centre Court crowd at Wimbledon on Monday night. Even after winning in straight sets, he had the bit between his teeth. Holger Rune couldn’t touch him either, you see, so the seven-time Wimbledon champion had a little more energy to expend.

Make no mistake, the 24-time grand slam champion can win Wimbledon this week. He remains among the favourites, and rightly so. But after his walkover exit from the French Open, and with that compression sleeve still hugging his surgically-repaired right knee, and with his movement a little laboured, it is fair to suggest that he’ll welcome this straight-sets win.

Read Alex Pattle’s full assessment of the Djokovic situation:

Novak Djokovic accused the Wimbledon Centre Court crowd of “disrespect” following his third-round win against Holger Rune.