Novak Djokovic's Wimbledon Dreams Dashed by Jannik Sinner in Semifinals

Novak Djokovic's pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam title came to an abrupt halt at Wimbledon 2025, where he was defeated by Jannik Sinner in the semifinals. This loss marks Djokovic's fifth consecutive defeat to Sinner and raises concerns about his physical condition as he acknowledges the challenges of competing against younger players. Despite the setback, Djokovic expresses hope for a return to Wimbledon next year, potentially for a farewell appearance. Discover more about his reflections on aging, recent performances, and future aspirations in this detailed article.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 12, 2025, 15:41 IST

Djokovic's Semifinal Setback

Serbian tennis star and World No. 6, Novak Djokovic, faced a disappointing end to his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title after losing to top seed Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of Wimbledon 2025 on July 12.

Djokovic was defeated in straight sets, with scores of 3-6, 3-6, 4-6, marking the conclusion of his 20th Wimbledon appearance. The match saw Sinner dominate, leaving Djokovic with little opportunity to recover. This loss adds to Djokovic's streak of five consecutive defeats against Sinner, including a semifinal loss at the French Open earlier this year.

Physical Challenges Acknowledged

Entering his 14th Wimbledon semifinal, Djokovic had previously dropped three sets in the last five rounds. However, the 38-year-old struggled to keep pace with Sinner's aggressive baseline play, which capitalized on Djokovic's movement issues and lack of rhythm, allowing Sinner to reach his first Wimbledon final.

‘Reality Hits Me Right Now’

In a post-match press conference, Djokovic reflected on his physical decline, attributing it to age and acknowledging that he finds it increasingly difficult to compete against younger players like Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. He expressed, "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, the last year and a half like never before, to be honest."

He continued, "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 5, particularly this year, has been a real struggle for me physically. The longer the tournament goes, the worse the condition gets."

Recent Grand Slam Performance

In the last three Grand Slam tournaments, Djokovic has not advanced past the semifinals. At the Australian Open, he had to retire due to a leg injury sustained during a quarterfinal match against Carlos Alcaraz. At the French Open, he faced another defeat against Sinner in the semifinals. This recent trend highlights a growing gap between Djokovic and the emerging younger players in the sport.

Looking Ahead to Future Competitions

Following his Wimbledon exit, Djokovic expressed his intention to return to SW19 next year, hinting at a potential farewell appearance at the prestigious tournament. He stated, "I would be sad [if it was his last Centre Court appearance], but hopefully it's not my last match on Centre Court. I'm not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today."

Djokovic has reached the finals in the last two editions of Wimbledon but lost both to Carlos Alcaraz, who is now set for his third consecutive final. Since winning the US Open in 2023, Djokovic has yet to secure another Grand Slam title, putting his aspirations for a record-breaking 25th title on hold until the upcoming US Open.

Before his semifinal loss, Djokovic celebrated his 100th match victory at Wimbledon, joining legends Roger Federer and Martina Navratilova in the exclusive club of players with 100 or more wins at the All England Club. He also became the second player, after Federer, to achieve 100 match wins at two different Grand Slam tournaments, having previously reached this milestone at the French Open.