Djokovic said he hoped to come back “at least once more” – and he is, ultimately, still beating players that, in theory, should have time and youth on their side.
He has been relaxed at this year’s championships, from hitting sessions on the outer courts with his son to joking around with a ball girl during his second-round match.
It also feels as though there has been a switch in the way crowds receive him.
For a time, Djokovic was cast as the villain – the disruptor to the Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal rivalry that so engrossed fans. More emotive and more vocal, Djokovic would sometimes receive a hostile reception simply because he had beaten them.
He struggled to win over the crowd during his astonishing 2019 Wimbledon final victory over Federer and felt disrespected by their cheers in his match against Holger Rune two years ago.
But this year, he has been the crowd favourite in almost every match. They pulled for him as the match against Auger-Aliassime went deep. They roared his nickname – “Nole! Nole!” – whenever he went break point down against Sinner.
The victor was well-supported, as he always is. But it felt as though Djokovic was the one who had the crowd’s hearts.
“We’ve watched this guy for well over two decades, and how many times have we heard the whole entire crowd [chant] ‘Nole, Nole’?” Agassi said.
“He’s now getting the respect he deserves. I love it. What these guys are doing now is because of all that he has shown is possible.”
As he left the court, Djokovic placed his hand over his heart and tapped it once, before waving to all corners.
He knows the clock is running down. He will be 40 at next year’s Wimbledon. Ken Rosewall, at 39 years and 234 days, is the oldest man in the Open era to win a Grand Slam singles title.
But Djokovic, for now, wants to carry on.
“I don’t have any pressure or no-one is forcing me to play,” Djokovic added. “I do it because I really want to and because I still can play as a top-five player.
“Let’s see what’s the future brings.”
