Novak Djokovic made it known after his semi-final defeat to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon that he is not yet ready to bid farewell to the prestigious tournament. Despite feeling the effects of age “like never before,” he expressed his desire to return and compete again at the All England Club.
Following a straight-sets loss, Djokovic acknowledged the disappointment of not reaching his peak performance, attributing his struggles to a recent injury sustained during his previous match. He stated, “I don’t want to talk in details about my injury… but I do feel disappointed.” Although he showed some promising signs of recovery, including winning the initial games of the third set, he ultimately fell short, closing the match with a score of 6-3, 6-3, 6-4.
Djokovic’s loss halted his quest to match Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles and secure an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam victory. Reflecting on his performance, he indicated that, had he been fully fit, he might have posed a more significant challenge to Sinner, who will progress to the final against Carlos Alcaraz.
As he contemplates the future, Djokovic admitted that his recurring injuries are becoming increasingly troublesome and have prompted him to reevaluate his training and competition schedule. “I probably have to revisit everything and see with my team, with my family, how I want to proceed,” he said, emphasising his focus on maximising the remainder of his career.
Despite his recent setbacks, Djokovic remains hopeful about competing at major tournaments, noting that he still considers them the most significant aspect of his career. He fondly recalled past triumphs and maintained that he intends to make at least one more Wimbledon appearance. “I’m not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today,” he asserted.
After this year’s challenges, including a withdrawal due to injury at the French Open and another semi-final exit at the Australian Open, Djokovic’s moment at Wimbledon marked his earliest exit since 2017. While accepting the physical toll that age has taken on him, he remains passionate about the sport. “When I’m fresh and fit, I can still play really good tennis,” he affirmed.
As he departed the court, Djokovic took a moment to acknowledge the supportive crowd with a smile and a thumbs-up, signalling that this chapter might not be his last. His journey continues, and the tennis world will be eagerly watching his next moves.