The 38-year-old seven-year-old Wimbledon Champion Novak Djokovic was defeated by world number one Jannik Sinner in straight sets from 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in the Wimbledon semi-finals on Friday, accepting that age and physical boundaries are affecting their performance more than before.The Serbian tennis star was targeting a record 25th Grand Slam title and the eighth Wimbledon Crown, which corresponds to the record of eight men’s title of Roger Federer at the All England Club.Instead, 23 -year -old Papi will now face two -time defending champions Carlos Alakraj in the final of Sunday.Djokovic appeared physically limited during the match, after a leg injury during his quarter -final win over Flavio Coboli.
“This was not really a pleasant feeling in the court. I don’t want to talk, in the details, about my injury and not only to manage to play your best.The shock follows Djokovic’s return from the Australian Open earlier this year, where he faced muscle tears during his semi -finals against Alexander Zeverev.“This is just age, body wearing and tear. As much as I am taking care of, reality I now, last year, like one and a half years, like never before, to be honest. It is difficult for me to accept because I think I think when I am fresh, when I am fit, I can still play good tennis. I have proved this year.”“But I think playing the best five games, especially this year, has been a real struggle for me physically. The longer the tournament deteriorates, the worse situation happens. I arrive at the final stages, I reached the semi -finals of every slam this year, but I have to play a sinner or Alakraj. These people are fit, young, sharp. I think I am going to the match with the tank being half empty. It is not possible to win a match in this way. ,Novak Djokovic on retirementDespite the defeat, Djokovic planned to return to Wimbledon the following year. “I think, regardless of the fact that I have not won a Grand Slam this year, or last year, I still feel that I continue to play my best tennis in the Grand Slam. They are tournaments that I care most in this stage of my career. ,The Serbian champion emphasized his dedication to maintain his physical condition.“I want to take care of myself on a daily basis, I want to challenge all those who are out on this tour, to see if anyone takes care of me more than me. And I, unfortunately, is not yet rewarded for him, with injuries in the latter stages. But I was rewarded for many years, many years. ,“I am just trying to make, I think, maximum, again, again, I got down from the court, so, I am upset and disappointed, not for most damage, because obviously if I was fit, I was not a favorite to win against the sinner, I know, I know, but I think I had good opportunities if I had a good opportunity if I was fit.”Regarding Sunday’s finals, Djokovic offered his prediction.“I think I will give Carlos as a favorite as a favorite lead because he lives here due to two titles and the way he is playing and he is still confident. But it is just a minor advantage because the Jannik is hitting the ball very well. I think it was again, again, a very close match-ups such as they were in Paris.”This will be the first Wimbledon final without Djokovic since 2017.
