Novak Djokovic’s final Wimbledon appearance has ended. For the first time since 2018, the Serb star won’t win a spot in the championship match at the All-England club.
No. 6 Jjokovic bowed to Italian and Jannik Sinner, the world’s No. 1, resigned in straight sets on Friday, 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.
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The 24-time Grand Slam champion was clearly hampered by an injury suffered during his home stretch in the quarter-finals against 22nd seed Flaviokobori two days ago.
Djokovic slid and fell awkwardly at his second match point with Koboli, almost splitting before falling forward for a moment. The 38-year-old finished the match and quickly hit his ticket into the semi-finals. However, he cancelled his practice on Thursday. He is a sign that he wasn’t 100% of the troublesome falls he took in the quarters.
Djokovic was asked on Friday at a post-match press conference on how he physically compromised between the semi-finals and the offenders.
“Perfect,” Djokovic said. “It wasn’t really a comfortable feeling on the court, but I don’t want to talk in detail about my injuries and whine about not being able to do my best. I want to congratulate Janik on another great performance. That’s it. He’s in the finals.
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However, Djokovic added:
Usually the grass dominant Djokovic (7-time Wimbledon champion) struggled to move left and right throughout Friday’s semi-finals. Turning direction turned out to be difficult for him, and he even chased the points.
In the medical timeout between the second and third sets, the trainer visited Djokovic, who was treated in the upper left leg. Djokovic then went on to win the next three games and came within points to score a 4-0 lead in the third set. However, he lost six of his last seven games.
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Djokovic, who is looking for the still-unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title, has recently dealt with a string of injuries. In addition to his latest issue, he left the Australian Open this year after just one set in the semi-finals due to a hamstring torn. During the French Open in 2024, he had to retreat in front of the dormitory after toreting the meniscus with his right knee, an injury requiring surgery.
“I don’t think it’s a bad thing. It’s just age,” Djokovic said Friday. “Abrasion and tears in my body. As much as I care for it, reality strikes me like I’ve never seen before, half of last year. To be honest, it’s hard to feel like I can play a fresh, healthy tennis. I have to play a sinner.
Djokovic lost two previous Wimbledon finals to Spain’s Alcaraz.
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Djokovic hopes to return to center court again. He plans to return to Wimbledon.
“I’m not going to end my Wimbledon career today,” he said. “I’m planning on coming back. At least one more time.”
