Novak Djokovic snaps, admits grand slam dream may be over after Sinner demolition

A dejected Novak Djokovic has admitted his chances of winning another grand slam may be over after he was sent packing from Wimbledon.

Novak Djokovic said the reality of his age was hitting him “like never before” after he was crushed by world number one Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals on Friday.

The Serbian seven-time champion was demolished 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 on Centre Court and will be missing from the final at the All England Club for the first time since 2017.

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The 38-year-old was aiming for a record 25th grand slam title and an eighth Wimbledon crown, which would have pulled him level with Roger Federer’s tally of eight men’s titles.

He appeared limited in his movements against his 23-year-old opponent, who will face two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the final, and admitted afterwards that he had struggled.

Djokovic fell awkwardly late in his quarter-final victory over Flavio Cobolli, sustaining a leg injury.

“It wasn’t really a pleasant feeling on the court,” he said. “I don’t want to talk, in details, about my injury and just whine about not managing to play my best.

“I want to congratulate Jannik for another great performance. That’s it. He’s in the finals. He was too strong.”

Sinner has now beaten Djokovic in their past five matches and joins Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray as the only players to beat Djokovic on grass, clay and hardcourt at tour level.

Novak Djokovic slips and falls and loses a point in his semi-final against Jannik Sinner. (Ben Whitley/PA via AP)

Jannik Sinner and Djokovic embrace at the net after the one-sided semi-final. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)

Djokovic gets a standing ovation as he leaves the court at Wimbledon. Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images.

Djokovic appeared irritable at times during the match, lashing out at his box after getting his serve broken in the third set.

“Just watch and be quiet, watch and be quiet don’t say a single word, just watch,” he told his team during a change of ends.

Novak Djokovic to his box after getting broken back by Jannik Sinner in the 3rd set at Wimbledon:

“Just watch and be quiet, watch and be quiet don’t say a single word, just watch”

😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/zho7fS3JVp

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 11, 2025

Djokovic was forced to pull out of the Australian Open after just one set of his semi-final against Alexander Zverev earlier this year after suffering a muscle tear.

But he denied he was suffering bad fortune.

“It’s just age, the wear and tear of the body,” he said.

“As much as I’m taking care of it, the reality hits me right now, last year and a half, like never before, to be honest.

“It’s tough for me to accept that because I feel like when I’m fresh, when I’m fit, I can still play really good tennis. I’ve proven that this year.

“But I guess playing best-of-five, particularly this year, has been a real struggle for me physically. The longer the tournament goes the worse the condition gets. I reach the final stages, I reached the semis of every slam this year, but I have to play Sinner or Alcaraz.

“These guys are fit, young, sharp. I feel like I’m going into the match with the tank half empty. It’s just not possible to win a match like that.”

BBC commentator Andrew Cotter said: “It is time for the new guard to take over.”

Novak Djokovic acknowledges the crowd as he leaves centre court. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Has Djokovic run out of chances to win another grand slam? (Photo by Benjamin Gilbert - Pool/Getty Images)

Djokovic said he was planning to return to Wimbledon next year.

“I think, regardless of the fact that I haven’t won a grand slam this year, or last year, I still feel like I continue to play my best tennis at grand slams,” he said.

“Those are the tournaments that I care about at this stage of my career the most.” Djokovic said he did not know what he could do differently.

“The amount of hours that I spend daily to take care of myself, I’d like to challenge everyone who is out there on the tour to see if anybody takes care of themselves more than me,” he said.

“And I, unfortunately, don’t get rewarded for that right now, with injuries at the later stages of slams. But I was rewarded for many, many years.”

Djokovic has made the semi-finals of all three slams so far this year but has been unable to progress further.

He added: “I’m just trying to make, I guess, the maximum out of what I have left. Again, I just got off the court, so of course, I’m upset and disappointed, mostly not for the loss, because obviously even if I was fit, I wasn’t a favourite to win against Sinner, I know that, but I think I had good chances if I was fit.”

The Serb was asked who he felt would win Sunday’s final after Alcaraz beat Taylor Fritz 6-4 5-7 6-3 7-6 (8-6).

“I think I will give a slight edge to Carlos as a favourite because of the two titles he’s won here and the way he’s playing and the confidence he has right now,” he said.

Italy's Jannik Sinner will take on Carlos Alcaraz in the final. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

“But it’s just a slight advantage because Jannik is hitting the ball extremely well. I think it’s going to be, again, a very close match-up like they had in Paris (where Alcaraz won in five sets).”

After being given a lifeline when Grigor Dimitrov retired hurt leading two sets to love in their fourth round match, Sinner now has the chance to claim a fourth grand slam title following wins over Ben Shelton and Djokovic.

He will come up against Alcaraz for their second meeting in a grand slam final following their epic five-set clash at the French Open.

Sinner has joined Djokovic, Federer, Nadal and Murray as just the fifth player since 1995 to have reached the final of all four grand slams.