The Wimbledon final will be a repeat of the Roland Garros epic between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Novak Djokovic has suggested his best chances of winning another grand slam could be behind him after Jannik Sinner knocked him out in straight sets to set-up a Wimbledon final against Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner stood and applauded Djokovic after the seven-time Wimbledon champ departed centre looking deflated.
Djokovic put up a spirited fight against the World No.1 Italian, but was thoroughly outplayed 6-3 6-3 6-4. Djokovic attempted to move Sinner around the court and brought him forward a number of times with drop shots.
Although Sinner was too quick and crafty with the 23-year-old proving too strong for the 38-year-old at Wimbledon. Sinner will now face Alcaraz in the final, after the Spaniard defeated Taylor Fritz in the other semi, which gives fans the rematch they wanted after one of the all-time Roland Garros finals only a month ago.
And while Sinner was pleased to have reached a career grand slam of finals, Djokovic was left staring at the possibility he may have watched his final chance of winning a grand slam end. The tennis legend struggled throughout the match with his movement and called for the trainer at one stage to look at his leg.
Djokovic even revealed Sinner apologised to him at the net having felt bad the Serbian couldn’t be at his best for the match. The 38-year-old admitted it was a nice gesture, but not needed with his battle against his body becoming a running challenge.
Djokovic denied 2025 will be the last time anyone sees him at Wimbledon as a competitor, but admitted he feels it’s going to be extremely tough on him to get past the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz as his body slows down. “I don’t think it’s bad fortune. It’s just age,” Djokovic said of his leg injury during the match.
“The wear and tear of the body. As much as I’m taking care of it, the reality hits me right now the 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 and fit, I can still play very good tennis. I’ve proven that this year.
“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 reached the semis of every slam this year. I have to play Sinner or [Carlos] Alcaraz. These guys are fit, young, sharp.
“And I feel like I’m going into the match with the tank half empty. It’s just not possible to win the match like that. It is what it is. It’s one of those things you just have to accept and embrace in some way, deal with reality the way it is and try to make the most out of it.”
Djokovic waved to the crowd and received a standing ovation in a sign it could be the seven-time champion’s last appearance at SW19. But he denied this suggestion. “I’m not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today,” he said. “I’m planning to come back, definitely at least one more time.”
Jannik Sinner gets rematch with Carlos Alcaraz
Sinner now becomes just the fifth man since 1995 to reach the final on every surface. He also joined Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Andy Murray as the only players to defeat Djokovic on all surfaces. And he will get the opportunity to avenge his Roland Garros defeat against Alcaraz.
Sinner let slip a two-set advantage in Paris with Alcaraz coming from behind to win his first grand slam of the year. But the Italian will have the opportunity to play Alcaraz again in a final. “I don’t know – you saw the last final, you never know!” he said of what to expect this time around.
“It’s a huge honour to share the court with Carlos. Hopefully, it’s going to be a good match like the last one. I don’t know if it can get better, because I don’t think it’s possible, but we will try to do out best and hopefully it will be an enjoyable match.”
The Spaniard was too good for Taylor Fritz in the other semi-final having won in four sets. Alcaraz will be seeking his third-straight Wimbledon title and will have do it over his greatest rival having defeated him only a month ago in Paris.
“I’m still thinking about that moment sometimes,” said Alcaraz. “It was the best match that I have ever played. I’m not surprised he pushed me to the limit. I expect that on Sunday just to be on the limit, to be on the line. It’s just going to be a great day, a great final. I’m just excited about it. I just hope not to be on court for five hours and a half again
