Novak Djokovic, after a dominant 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 semifinal defeat to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon, has dismissed retirement talk, stating he still feels capable of competing at the highest level. The 39-year-old Serbian, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, acknowledged the internal battle between his high expectations and the reality of aging but expressed a strong desire to return to the All England Club.
Djokovic reflects on defeat and future
Djokovic, who has not won a Grand Slam since his record-extending 24th at the 2023 US Open, admitted that reaching semifinals is no longer sufficient for his standards. “For 99 per cent of the players, that would be a very good Grand Slam result. For me, it’s good but not good enough, because I’m blessed and cursed to be used to something of a highest degree,” he said. Despite the loss, he remains optimistic: “I feel when I’m healthy, I’m still able to play as a top-five player, still able to compete at the highest level.” He specifically mentioned a desire to play Wimbledon at age 40, saying, “I would like to, at least one more time.”
Sinner exacts revenge, advances to final
For Sinner, the victory was a measure of revenge after Djokovic defeated him in five sets in the Australian Open semifinals earlier this year. The top-ranked Italian, who lost only one set en route to the final, showcased dominant groundstrokes and clutch serving. He faced only one break point in the match, which he erased with an ace. “I knew mentally that today I had to raise my level, which I’ve done,” Sinner said. Andre Agassi, commenting on BBC, attributed Sinner’s performance to Djokovic’s influence: “What these guys can do now is all because he has shown them what’s possible.”
Zverev reaches second consecutive major final
In the other semifinal, second-seeded Alexander Zverev overpowered British wild card Arthur Fery 7-6 (0), 6-2, 6-4. Zverev, who won his first Grand Slam at the French Open last month, is attempting to become the first man in the professional era to win his second major title at the next event immediately after his first. He acknowledged the challenge of facing Sinner, who has won their last nine meetings and 14 straight sets. “I have to trust myself and I have to believe that I can win and that’s what I’m going to do,” Zverev said.
Fery’s fairytale run ends
Arthur Fery, ranked 114th and playing as a wild card, was attempting to become the first wild card to reach the Wimbledon final since Goran Ivanisevic in 2001. The 24-year-old, who grew up near the All England Club and played at Stanford University, received strong support from the home crowd. Zverev noted, “I know that 99.99 per cent of the stadium was wanting Arthur to win. But it was still such an incredible atmosphere.”
Women’s final and other notes
The women’s final on Saturday features two Czech players, Karolina Muchova against Linda Noskova. Djokovic’s loss came after the longest quarterfinal in Wimbledon history, a 5-hour-15-minute victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime. Sinner, meanwhile, had not dropped a set since the first round. The temperature during the semifinal was about 85°F (29°C), but breezy conditions prevented the heat issues Sinner faced at the French Open.
