Before the highly anticipated semi-final match between Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, several tennis experts shared their predictions. Surprisingly, most favored Djokovic. For instance, Djokovic’s former coach, Goran Ivanisevic, expressed that the 24-time Grand Slam champ was the favorite, citing his previous wins over Sinner. Roger Federer also leaned towards Djokovic, predicting his victory. However, Sinner had different plans.
Sinner dominated the match, defeating Djokovic 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. Both players had shown signs of injury concerns leading up to the match. Afterward, in his post-match press conference, Djokovic addressed his physical condition.
He admitted feeling compromised during the match, which made it uncomfortable to play. However, he chose not to dwell on the specifics of his injury and instead praised Sinner for his strong performance. Djokovic said in his post-match press conference at Wimbledon:
Quite a bit. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling on the court. But I don’t want to talk about in details of my injury and 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. I feel disappointed I wasn’t able to move as well as I thought or hoped I would.
Djokovic refrained from discussing the injury in detail, emphasizing that he did not want to complain about his inability to play at his best. Instead, he focused on congratulating Sinner for another excellent performance. Djokovic expressed disappointment in his movement, noting that it was not at the level he had hoped for.
Novak Djokovic was asked about his injury in his match against Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 11, 2025
“I wondered how physically compromised you felt during the match?”
Novak: “Quite a bit. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling on the court. But I don’t want to talk about in details of my injury… pic.twitter.com/xJTQVEuoqj
Despite the physical setback, Djokovic credited Sinner for his excellence on the court, recognizing his opponent’s strength. He acknowledged that Sinner deserved his place in the final, and expressed regret over his own performance.
World No.1 Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic on Friday to reach his first Wimbledon final. The Italian played a dominant match, winning 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in just under two hours. Djokovic appeared physically limited due to an injury from his previous match. Sinner took full advantage, maintaining control for most of the match.
With this win, Sinner now moves on to face Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s final. The two last met in the Roland Garros final, where Sinner missed three championship points and lost. The upcoming match gives him a quick chance to take revenge and claim a major title.
Even though Djokovic struggled with his movement, Sinner stayed composed and consistent. He served accurately and kept his baseline game strong. Apart from a brief slip in the third set, Sinner was in control and showed why he is ranked No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
This victory marks another milestone for Sinner. He has now reached the final of all four Grand Slam tournaments, becoming the 11th man to do so in the Open Era. He has also now beaten Djokovic in five straight matches, including three Grand Slam semi-finals.
The defeat to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner carries a sense of finality that has not been seen before from the iconic champion. At 38, Djokovic must now be questioning whether his Grand Slam-winning days are truly behind him. Despite his repeated statements that he continues to play to extend his 24 Grand Slam titles, his dominant form now seems a distant memory.
The 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 loss to the younger and more energetic Sinner left little doubt that Djokovic’s relentless efficiency in Grand Slam tournaments is no longer evident. Although an injury from his fall in the quarter-finals against Flavio Cobolli may have played a part, the match revealed a player no longer able to compete at the highest level against the best in men’s tennis.
Sinner displayed superior strength, movement, and consistency, with fewer errors than Djokovic, making him a more complete player at this stage in their careers. Djokovic’s first serve was his only standout, and without it, the match would have ended much sooner. The crowd’s support for Djokovic, possibly in recognition of his long-standing contributions, added a bittersweet note to what might be his last appearance on Centre Court.
After this humbling defeat, Djokovic faces the reality of his future. If he continues, it may only be as a former champion who adds star power to the early rounds of Grand Slams. His decision, once his body recovers from the toll, will determine whether his career is near its end. Based on this performance, it seems unlikely that any dream of winning another Grand Slam title remains within reach.
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