LONDON (AP) – Novak Djokovic wanted to make it clear after losing to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinal on Friday: It’s not a farewell performance. Djokovic intends to compete again at the All England club.
“I’m not going to finish my Wimbledon career today,” the 38-year-old Djokovic said. “I’m going to definitely come back – at least once again.”
He finished Djokovic’s latest attempt at eight-game title leads Roger Federer at Wimbledon with 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 against No. 1 Sinners at center court, finishing with an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic, in what he called “annoying” and “embarrassing” matches, lost two days in the final quarter-finals to fully compete at his best level.
“I don’t want to elaborate on my injury, but just complain about not doing my best,” Djokovic said Friday. “I’m really disappointed that I can’t move or wish I could move as I thought I would.”
He was visited by a coach before receiving treatment in the third set in the upper left corner, winning the next three games and leading 4-0, but lost six of his last seven games.
“We all saw him a little hurt,” Sina said. “His situation is very difficult.”
Two weeks ago, Djokovic said he believes the Pasture Championships provide him with his best chance in another major. His latest news is at the 2023 U.S. Open.
In the next Grand Slam, Djokovic lost to Sina in the 2024 Australian Open. A few months later, when France opened, Djokovic needed to quit before the quarterfinals because he tore his meniscus with his right knee and needed surgery. Then, a month later, at Wimbledon, he lost to Alcalaz in the final, his sixth consecutive championship game and his second straight loss to Alcalaz.
Djokovic has so far withdrawn from the semi-finals in all three professional matches of the season, quitting due to a torn hamstring due to a round at Melbourne Park, before losing to Sinner at Roland-Garros and again on Friday.
Djokovic picked up his stuff since 2017 when his earliest defeat at Wimbledon ended, and as he walked to the locker room, he paused to respond to the smile, smile, waves and thumbs-up to the crowd.
A reporter later asked Djokovic if he felt bad luck due to repeated injuries.
“I don’t think it’s bad wealth. It’s just age-body wear. Although I took good care of it, reality hit me now, and the past year and a half, never like I used to be, to be honest,” Djokovic replied, shaking his head. “I have a hard time accepting this because I feel like when I’m fresh, when I’m healthy, I can still play really well. I’ve proven this year.”
