Novak Djokovic leaves the court after he lost the semifinal of his men in Wimbledon against Jannik Sinner. (Getty Images) The seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic, 38, was defeated by the world number one by Jannika Sinner in direct sets of 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in the Wimbledon semifinals on Friday, acknowledging that age and physical restrictions affect his performance more than ever.The Serbian tennis star sought a record 25.Instead, Sinner, 23, will now face double advocate Carlos Alcaraz in the Sunday finals.Djokovic appeared physically limited during the match, after injury to the legs suffered during his quarterfinal victory over Flavio Cobolli.
“It wasn’t really a pleasant feeling on the pitch. I don’t want to talk, in detail, about my injury and just whine that I can’t play the best. I want to congratulate Jannik for another great performance. That’s all. He’s in the final. He was too strong.”This failure follows Djokovic’s withdrawal from the Australian Open at the beginning of this year, where he suffered a muscle tear during the semifinal against Alexander Zverev.“It’s just age, body wear. Just as I care about it, reality right now, last year and a half, like never before to be honest. It’s hard for me to accept it because I feel like I’m fresh when I’m fit, I can still play really good tennis. I could do it this year.”“But I think playing the best of five, especially this year, was a physically real struggle for me. The longer the tournament is, the worse the condition. I have achieved the final phases, I have achieved the semifinals of every straw this year, but I have to play sinner or alcaraz. These guys are fit, young, young, young, young, young, young, young, young Young.Novak Djokovic when retiringDespite the defeat, Djokovic plans to return to Wimbledon next year. “I think, no matter that I didn’t get a Grand Slam this year, or last year, I still feel as if I continued to play my best tennis in the Grand Slams. These are the tournaments at which I care most about my career.”The Serbian champion emphasized his determination to maintain his physical condition.“The amount of hours I spend every day to take care of myself, I would like to invite anyone who is on tour to see if someone takes care of myself. And unfortunately, it is not betrayed for it now, injuries in the later strades of Slams.“I’m just trying to make, I think, the maximum of what I left. I just got out of court again, so of course I’m angry and disappointed, mostly not for loss, because of course I was fit, I wasn’t popular to win against the sinner, I know it, but I think I had good chances.”As for the Sunday finals, Djokovic offered its forecast.“I think I will give Carlos a slight advantage as popular because of the two titles he won here, and the way he plays and the trust he has right now. But it’s just a small advantage because Jannik hits the ball very well.This will be the first Wimbledon final without Djokovice since 2017.
