Jannik Sinner into first Wimbledon final as time catches up with Novak Djokovic

Twenty-four times has Novak Djokovic won seven best-of-five-set matches over the course of a fortnight, but a 25th may now be beyond him at the age of 38. The greatest player of all time was humbled once again this year on Centre Court with a straight-sets semi-final beating by Jannik Sinner.

It is a tremendous achievement for Djokovic to have reached the last four of all three grand-slam tournaments in 2025, though this will be of little satisfaction. The grass courts of Wimbledon were reckoned to be the Serbian veteran’s best chance of claiming that record 25th major singles title, but he remains agonisingly short.

A 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory for Sinner in one hour and 55 minutes is another nod to the generational shift in men’s tennis, with the Italian world No 1 progressing through to a rematch of last month’s epic French Open final against the Spanish world No 2, Carlos Alcaraz. For the first time since 2017, Djokovic is no part of the championship match at the All England Club.

Djokovic was clearly hampered by a thigh injury here, which meant he even gave up running on the final point of the match. While this will be considered bad luck by some, it is an indication of the trouble an ageing body has in keeping up with the demands of a grand-slam fortnight.

Asked afterwards if he was physically compromised, Djokovic replied: “Quite a bit. Honestly, it wasn’t really a pleasant feeling on the court.

“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. He’s in the final. He was too strong. I do feel disappointed that I just wasn’t able to move as well as I thought or hoped that I would.

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He added: “I don’t think it’s bad fortune. It’s just age, the wear and tear of the body. As much as I’m taking care of it, the reality hits me right now in the last year and a half like never before.

“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.”

Djokovic’s post-match wave to the crowd as he walked off the court was not as lingering as it was at Roland Garros last month. He later confirmed that, all being well, his intention is to return here next year.

Djokovic receives medical attention for a thigh injury that hindered him throughout the match TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER MARC ASPLAND

“I’m not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today,” Djokovic said. “I’m planning to come back definitely at least one more time and play on Centre Court, for sure.”

The head-to-head record was tight coming into the match at 5-4 to Sinner, but this did not tell the full story in recent years. Sinner had won their past four encounters, including a straight-sets victory as recently as last month in the semi-finals of the French Open.

Both had picked up injuries this week. Sinner had his right elbow strapped after falling to the court during his fourth-round match on Monday, while Djokovic had tweaked his left thigh after slipping towards the end of his quarter-final on Wednesday.

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The latter was a more obvious issue in yesterday’s contest. Djokovic did not look fully comfortable on the court, particularly when he attempted to quickly turn and change direction, and it seemed as if this was weighing heavily on his mind as he was uncharacteristically flat in the early stages.

The first set was completely one- sided in favour of Sinner. He claimed the early break for 2-1 with a lob over Djokovic’s head and piled on the pressure with his fast and accurate ground strokes. Another break at 5-3 up sealed the set in only 33 minutes.

The world No1 will take on Alcaraz in Sunday’s final – a repeat of their French Open showdown last month TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER MARC ASPLAND

This pattern of proceedings continued in the second set. Another early break ensured Sinner moved 2-0 ahead and he barely gave Djokovic a sniff on his serve, moving two sets up with an ace down the middle.

Djokovic had come back from this position against Sinner here in the 2022 quarter-finals, but it is a different prospect now, given his own age and the significant improvements in Sinner’s game since then.

Suddenly there was some hope for Djokovic’s many supporters in the third set when he brought up his first break point of the match at 1-0, 30-40, and the crowd let out a roar when Sinner dumped a tame forehand into the net. Understandably those inside Centre Court were hoping for a longer battle to savour.

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Djokovic even had a point for a double break at 3-0, but Sinner crucially held on before wresting back control of the match. He broke back and went on to level at 3-3, leaving Djokovic shouting at his box in frustration.

A run of five games in a row put Sinner 5-3 ahead and, while he failed to convert two match points on the Djokovic serve, he had no issue on his own serve at 5-4, taking his fourth match point with a forehand winner into the open court after Djokovic stopped running when he was pulled out wide.

Read more from Wimbledon Imperious Alcaraz breezes past Fritz to set up Sinner showdown

Remarkably at 23 years old, Sinner is the second-youngest men’s singles player in the open era to have reached the final at all four grand-slams, behind only Jim Courier at 22. To win a fourth major title and a first at Wimbledon, he must gain revenge tomorrow for his defeat by Alcaraz in Paris.

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

“But it’s just a slight advantage because Jannik is hitting the ball extremely well. It’s going to be, again, a very close match-up like we had in Paris.”

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J Sinner v C Alcaraz

Wimbledon men’s final

Sunday, 4pm

TV BBC1

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