Novak Djokovic revels in proposal during Wimbledon 2026 first-round victory over Wu Yibing - 'I want an invitation!'

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Novak Djokovic provided one of Wimbledon’s lighter moments on Monday after witnessing a marriage proposal in the Centre Court stands during his first-round victory over Wu Yibing - and made sure the happy couple knew he expected an invitation to the wedding. Watch the clip below.

Highlights: Djokovic and Sinner survive first-round scares as Sabalenka breezes through

Video credit: SNTV

The Serbian set up a second-round encounter with Stefanos Tsitsipas after overcoming China's Wu in four sets, eventually advancing 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-4 in a gruelling battle.

During Djokovic's 21st Wimbledon and following the conclusion of the opening set, the game was briefly interrupted when a man in the crowd got down on one knee and proposed to his beaming girlfriend.

The seven-time Wimbledon champion was quick to acknowledge the moment.

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As he returned to the court, Djokovic gestured a heart with his hands before giving the couple two thumbs up and jokingly calling out: "I want an invitation to the wedding!"

If the invitation does arrive, the newly engaged pair may even have access to world-class entertainment.

Bad Bunny watched the match from Djokovic’s player box, just two days after the Serbian joined the rapper on stage during his concert at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Puerto Rican superstar is no stranger to wedding celebrations either, having famously officiated a real-life marriage ceremony during his Super Bowl half-time show earlier this year.

Late into the night, in front of the watching Sir David Beckham and his mother in the Royal Box, Djokovic held his arms as victory was sealed well past 10pm UK time. The dream of eight is still alive.

At 39, Djokovic is still standing and still fighting to become the oldest Wimbledon men's singles champion since the Open era began in 1968, surpassing the great Roger Federer who was 35 when he defeated Marin Cilic in straight sets in 2017.

Novak Djokovic dug deep to win in just over three hours

Image credit: Getty Images

"Obviously, it's better when you win in the end," he said on court. "It's not the first time that I'm showing and talking about the significance of Wimbledon in my career and my life.

"It felt really challenging today, Wu deserves a round of applause for his incredible performance. As for how I'm feeling, I'm feeling happy but not the freshest I guess. It didn't feel like the first round to be honest.

"It felt like we played two different matches; one with the open roof and the closed roof. It affects the conditions and the moisture of the grass. It becomes more slippery, so you have to adjust and adapt to that but it's not easy because once you're at the point you want to give your best.

"He put me under a lot of pressure. I've never faced him before. I knew that he loved hitting the ball very flat and very aggressively from the back of the court, and he loved protecting the line. But he definitely surprised me with the level of every shot he had in his game from his return serves, forehand, backhand and at some point he didn't really have a weakness.

"I was lucky he missed the overhead and break point and I probably should have lost that fourth set as he had many break points.

"Playing on this surface, this kind of match is decided by a few points and a few shots. Thankfully, I have the experience of the last 20-plus years of playing on this court that can help me a little bit and manage the situation.

"It would be nice to combine the experience with a young fresh body - that would be the winning formula."

Djokovic has developed a habit of producing a celebration that has been created by his daughter after victories at Wimbledon, and he explained why he cupped his ear and mimicked playing the violin.

The Serbian explained: "I used last year's celebration - the violin - because I'm still waiting, it's a work in progress. She's still thinking about the choreography. Maybe she will be inspired after tonight.

"Having my family is a blessing for me here, to be supporting me this late - even though it's past bedtime, and we'll have to talk about that. I think it's an exception tonight."

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