News of England's Euro 2024 quarter-final win over Switzerland filtered through to the Wimbledon crowds during Novak Djokovic's third-round match against Alexei Popyrin, sparking a humorous reaction from the two competitors.
The Three Lions reached the last four of the tournament in Germany courtesy of a nail-biting 5-3 penalty win following a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes, and they will take on the Netherlands for the right to face Spain or France in the showpiece match.
As Trent Alexander-Arnold scored England's final penalty, Centre Court at Wimbledon - which was hosting Djokovic's clash with Popyrin - exploded into cheers and applause midway through the second set.
Popyrin was preparing to serve at 30-30 in the sixth game, play was held up while the elated crowd celebrated England's success, to which an amused Djokovic reacted by kicking an imaginary football.
Popyrin - despite finding himself 4-1 down in the set - could afford to share a joke with the Serbian, pretending to save Djokovic's 'attempt' before play resumed, after which the latter sealed a four-set triumph.
The seven-time champion was bested in the first set but came back to prevail 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6[3] on his beloved Centre Court to reach round four, but one 2024 Grand Slam winner fell at the third hurdle.
Popyrin saves Djokovic 'penalty' on Centre Court
Centre Court erupts as the news that @England have won on penalties filters through 🏴#Wimbledon | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/OoKv7n1tVo
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2024
Elsewhere on another weather-affected day at Wimbledon, French Open champion Iga Swiatek suffered a shock 6-3 1-6 2-6 loss to Yulia Putintseva, prolonging her grass-court struggles.
A pair of home favourites joined Swiatek in going out in the last 32, as in the company of Pep Guardiola, Leah Williamson and other famous faces, Cameron Norrie was beaten 4-6 4-6 6-7[15] by Alexander Zverev, who triumphed in an enthralling final-set tie-breaker.
Meanwhile, Harriet Dart was on course for a maiden fourth-round Grand Slam appearance, but the 27-year-old capitulated in a 6-2 5-7 3-6 loss at the hands of Wang Xinyu.
Danielle Collins, Daniil Medvedev and Elena Rybakina - who dropped just one game against Caroline Wozniacki - also progressed, but two-time finalist Ons Jabeur lost 1-6 6-7[4] to Elina Svitolina.
Off the court, Emma Raducanu was forced to pull out of her proposed mixed doubles partnership with Andy Murray due to wrist discomfort, meaning that the latter has now played his final match at SW19 after his men's doubles loss with brother Jamie Murray.
Raducanu is still scheduled to face Lulu Sun in her women's singles fourth-round encounter on Sunday, but her withdrawal from the mixed doubles did not go down well with Murray's mother Judy Murray.
The 64-year-old replied to a post on X expressing 'astonishment' at Raducanu pulling out of her partnership with her son, before making her account private amid enormous backlash.
Ben Knapton
