Novak Djokovic leapt into the Wimbledon semi-finals following a stunning five-set victory on Tuesday evening.
With the sun setting over Centre Court at 10:52 pm, Djokovic secured a 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-7, 7-6 victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime.
At five hours and 15 minutes, Djokovic and Auger-Aliassime’s match was the longest Wimbledon quarter-final in history.
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Djokovic has now reached the Wimbledon semi-finals 15 times in 19 years; and he is now the second-oldest man to reach the last four in south-west London.
With this historic achievement being noted, who was the oldest to accomplish the feat?
Ken Rosewall is the oldest man to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals in the Open Era
Rosewall is one of the greatest players in tennis history.
The Australian, born in Sydney, won 147 singles titles – including nine Grand Slam events.
Rosewall also won nine men’s doubles Grand Slams and one mixed doubles major during his esteemed career.
In 1974, the Australian icon arrived at Wimbledon seeking to win the only major title missing from his collection.
Rosewall, seeded ninth, marched all the way to the semi-finals, beating Roscoe Tanner and John Newcombe en route.
Rosewall was 39 years 234 days old when he reached the 1974 semi-finals – 196 days older than Novak Djokovic was when he reached the Wimbledon last four on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old Australian went on to reach the final in 1974 after beating Stan Smith 6-8, 4-6, 9-8, 6-1, 6-3.
The Sydney-born player was unable to capture that elusive Wimbledon trophy, falling to a straight sets defeat against Jimmy Connors in the final.
Ken Rosewall never won the Wimbledon singles title
Rosewall won three Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon during his career.
However, none of these titles were won in the singles event.
The Australian reached the Wimbledon Men’s Singles final on four occasions, but failed to secure the title once.
Rosewall first reached the final in 1954, losing to Egyptian player Jaroslav Drobný 13–11, 4–6, 6–2, 9–7.
Two years later, Rosewall again made an appearance in the Wimbledon final. On this occasion, he was beaten by compatriot Lew Hoad.
Rosewall was again defeated in the final in 1970, losing to fellow Australian John Newcombe 5–7, 6–3, 6–2, 3–6, 6–1.
As mentioned already, Jimmy Connors also defeated Rosewall in the 1974 Wimbledon final.
