Novak Djokovic has vowed that he will return to Wimbledon next year, when he will be in his 40s, despite a painful straight sets defeat by Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic looked second best in Friday’s semi-final as he succumbed 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to the world No 1. But afterwards he struck a defiant tone as insisted he had proven over the fortnight that he is still one of the best in the world.
“Losing in straight sets against the best player in the world, OK, it is what it is,” said Djokovic. “It’s the reality you have to accept. But the tournament was positive in terms of the attitude on the court, the fighting spirit, the dedication. I mean, it’s still there.
“I’m glad that this tournament, the body held [up] pretty well. Pretty much every other tournament in the last two years it was always something.
“That’s the main thing. I feel when I’m healthy, I’m still able to play as a top-five player, still able to compete at the highest level. I like it. I like this life. I mean, tennis has given me everything in my life and has allowed me an opportunity to become who I am.”
Asked whether he intended to be back next year, Djokovic replied: “I would like to, at least one more time. Let’s see.”
“Last year I reached four semi-finals. This year, out of three slams, I reached one final and one semi-final. I guess for 99% of the players, that would be a very good grand slam result.
“For me, it’s good but not good enough, because I’m blessed and cursed to be used to something of the highest degree in terms of results and achievements.”
Djokovic said that he had taken plenty of positives from the tournament, including beating the world No 4, Felix Auger-Aliassime, in five hours and 15 minutes in the quarter-finals.
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“Of course, I still enjoy the thrill of competition,” he said. “Maybe I don’t enjoy all the hard weeks that are leading up to a big tournament, putting myself over and over again through a lot of pain, physically mostly. I still can play as a top-10, top-five player.”
“I wanted to win Wimbledon. That’s the reason why I’m still pushing myself so hard. But I just lost to a better player. I have to accept it.
“I’m proud of what I achieved three nights ago. Felix is fourth player in the world. I’ve proven to myself and others that I can still play at the highest level, and I have.”
