Age is just a number: This is the oldest player to ever win Wimbledon
Rafa Nadal had the chance a couple of years ago, and now it’s Novak Djokovic who is aiming to become the oldest champion.
It seems we’re witnessing a generational shift in world tennis. After two decades of dominance by Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, and Roger Federer, a new generation of young talents — led by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner — is now taking home Grand Slam titles one after another. In fact, Alcaraz has won the last two, beating Djokovic in the final both times.
However, Nole is back at Wimbledon with a clear goal in mind: to become the oldest winner in the tournament’s history. He’s already reached the semifinals (despite some physical issues), and if he lifts the trophy at 38, he would be the oldest player — male or female — ever to win the title.
How old was Federer when he last won Wimbledon?
The record of the oldest champion, in either the men’s or women’s singles, is currently held by Roger Federer, who achieved the feat in 2017. The Swiss legend was 35 years old when he defeated Marin Cilic in straight sets in the final. That victory also marked the first time since Bjorn Borg in 1976 that any player won the singles championship without dropping a single set.
Federer is the king of grass, as he holds the most number of men’s Wimbledon titles with eight. But if Djokovic pulls it off this year, he won’t just become the oldest to do it — he’ll also tie Federer with 8 Wimbledon titles on grass.
Serena Williams’ longevity
On the women’s side, it’s Serena Williams who holds the record for being the oldest player to win the Venus Rosewater Dish in the professional era. She beat Garbine Muguruza in the final in 2016, and was 34 years old when she collected her seventh Wimbledon title.
Seven trophies are impressive, but Williams is tied for number two with Steffi Graf who has the same number of Wimbledon victories. Martina Navratilova holds the record for most singles titles in the Open Era, male or female, with a haul of nine.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.