Novak Djokovic puts Jannik Sinner in his place: “Things are different today”
Novak Djokovic continues to defy time and rewrite tennis history. At Wimbledon, too, the Serbian star managed to reach the Grand Slam semifinals, confirming his extraordinary longevity as an athlete. However, his run came to an end against Jannik Sinner, who went on to win the tournament, partly due to his less-than-optimal physical condition following the grueling quarterfinal battle against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
In an interview with CBS, Djokovic explained the difficulties he faced. “My body is responding differently—it’s simply biology. I didn’t have the time I needed to recover ahead of the semifinal, and I wasn’t as fresh as I would have liked to be. That’s not to take anything away from Sinner, who deserved to win the tournament. Things are different for me today.”
The 39-year-old Serb isn’t looking for excuses, but acknowledges the natural passage of time. At the same time, however, he reaffirms his philosophy: “I always try to be better than I was the day before.” The goal of a 25th Grand Slam title remains as alive as ever. Djokovic continues to pursue a milestone that would represent another historic achievement and looks forward with confidence to the upcoming US Open.
“It’s the Slam I find most exciting,” he said. “One of the main reasons I keep playing is the energy the crowd gives me, along with the respect and affection I receive, especially in recent years. I can never thank people enough for this support.” Reflecting on his journey, Djokovic recalled the hardships he faced during his childhood in Serbia, a period marked by war and the profound crises that struck the country.
“Sports were my refuge. It takes me back to my childhood, my upbringing, and a country devastated by the conflicts of the 1990s, by the embargo, sanctions, and economic and social crises. I chose one of the most expensive sports, and my parents did everything they could to support me.” A story of sacrifice that led him to join the absolute elite of world tennis, alongside champions such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams.
