Novak Djokovic says he definitely plans to play at Wimbledon at least one more time
'I'm not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today,' the 38-year-old Djokovic said. 'I'm planning to come back definitely — at least one more time.'
His 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 defeat at Centre Court against the No. 1-ranked Sinner put an end to Djokovic's latest attempt to tie Roger Federer's men's record of eight championships at Wimbledon and to claim an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title overall.
Djokovic was not fully able to compete at his best level, two days after taking what he described as a 'nasty' and 'awkward' fall in the last game of his quarterfinal victory.
'I don't want to talk in details about my injury and just whine about not managing to play my best,' Djokovic said Friday. 'I do feel disappointed that I just wasn't able to move as well as I thought or hoped that I would.'
Djokovic exited in the semifinals at all three of this season's majors so far, quitting because of a torn hamstring after one set in that round at Melbourne Park, then losing to Sinner at Roland-Garros and again on Friday. | Photo Credit: Ben Whitley/AP
He was visited by a trainer before the third set for treatment on his upper left leg, won the next three games and was a point from a 4-0 lead, but lost six of the last seven games.
'We all saw, especially in the third set, that he was a bit injured,' said Sinner, who will meet No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday's final. 'He's been in a very difficult situation.'
Before this fortnight, Djokovic said he figured the grass-court tournament gives him his best chance at another major. His most recent came at the 2023 U.S. Open.
At the next Slam event, the 2024 Australian Open, Djokovic lost to Sinner. At the French Open a few months later, Djokovic needed to withdraw before the quarterfinals because he tore the meniscus in his right knee and needed surgery. Then, a month later at Wimbledon, he lost to Alcaraz in the final, his sixth consecutive appearance in the tournament's title match — and second straight loss to Alcaraz.
ALSO READ | Child's play for Alcaraz, dominance for Sinner as pair sets up thrilling title showdown
Djokovic exited in the semifinals at all three of this season's majors so far, quitting because of a torn hamstring after one set in that round at Melbourne Park, then losing to Sinner at Roland-Garros and again on Friday.
When his earliest loss at Wimbledon since 2017 ended, Djokovic picked up his things and, as he walked toward the locker room, paused to respond to a standing ovation with a smile, a wave and a thumbs-up for the crowd.
A reporter later asked whether Djokovic felt as if he had some bad luck because of the repeated injury issues.
'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,' Djokovic replied, shaking his head. 'It's tough for me to accept that, because I feel like when I'm fresh, when I'm fit, I can still play really good tennis. I've proven that this year.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
From 0/2 to hope renewed: Shubman Gill, KL Rahul rewrite a doomed script at Old Trafford
Shubman Gill and KL Rahul remained unbeaten at stumps on Day 4 of the fourth Test between India and England. (AP) in Manchester: Nearly two days of insipid bowling, another frantic period before the Lunch break and India's Test, and series, seemed as good as over early on Day 4 at Old Trafford. The visitors faced just three overs before the umpires flipped the bails to mark the Lunch break but those few minutes were enough for Chris Woakes to send Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan back. Off consecutive deliveries! 0/2, trailing by 311 runs, almost a batter short due to Rishabh Pant's fractured toe and five sessions to survive. It was a terrible position to be in. The overhead conditions and the variable bounce further complicated matters. By no means were the conditions and pitch unplayable but the mental and physical fatigue of chasing leather for 157.1 overs was going to make survival an enduring task. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The equation wasn't about runs, follow-on and lead but seeing off the period. Yeah, that's the basics and that's what Test cricket is all about but the stakes made it a very delicate passage in play. For a side which fancies winning from any position, England would have been licking their lips after seeing the back of the two Indian left-handers who got solid starts in the first innings. In came Shubman Gill to join KL Rahul minutes before Lunch and the immediate task was to see off the hat-trick ball, which he did, and then to ensure there were no more casualties. Both boxes ticked but it would have been a nervy walk back to the change room for both right-handers as the onus was now on them to delay what looked like an inevitable England win at that point. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Skinny Drink Is Going Viral for Melting Stomach Fat Fast Hollywood News | USA Click Here Undo Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 78 runs at close of play on Day 4 of the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford. (AP) They, however, were ready with the response as fluency and urgency took over from the pre-Lunch frenzy. Gill dealt in boundaries and had a very Leeds-like start to his innings while Rahul continued to be solid from the other end. The Indian skipper was tested with full and swinging deliveries on to the stumps but he was ready with the response and hit some gorgeous boundaries down the ground - on either side of the wicket. 86/2 at Tea, Gill scoring his fifty and Rahul growing in confidence injected much needed stability into the proceedings for India as they didn't lose a wicket and frustrated the hosts during the second session. 'Fluency' was the key word as Gill scored runs for fun when he raced to 45 off just 52 deliveries. Deep into the second session, precisely after being dropped by Liam Dawson, he decided to drop anchor. Nothing flashy and everything solid! KL Rahul remained unbeaten on 87 runs after Day 4 of the fourth Test between India and England at Old Trafford. (AP) His partner at the other end continued to be the cotton wool soaking in all the pressure and not giving the opposition an inch. The individual fifties were hit, many milestones - Gill becoming first Asian batter to score 650+ in a Test series in England and India's second 100+ stand after going 0/2 - reached and frustration began to creep in for the hosts. The bowlers were swapped, a short-ball trap was laid out with fielders placed for hooks, pulls, upper cut and ramp but Rahul and Gill were far too settled to fall into any temptation. With Ben Stokes deciding against bowling, possibly due to the niggle on Day 3, England clearly missed the magical touch after Woakes' double-wicket over and the pitch not playing any tricks, except the odd one keeping low, didn't pose any real challenge for the duo who had their eyes well in. The little over three days of the fourth Test weren't a reflection of how India have fared in the series so far but as Gill has maintained, the bad moments - Day 3 in particular - have been so bad that it has had a big impact on the scoreline. The same could be said about the third day and morning of the fourth but the rear guard act led by the captain and senior batter Rahul has ensured even the fourth Test, like the previous three, is set up for a delicious Day 5 finish. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
38 minutes ago
- First Post
'Prince' surpasses 'King': Gill breaks Kohli's record while rescuing India from horrid start at Old Trafford
Shubman Gill broke the record for most runs in a Test series by an Indian captain en route to his unbeaten 78 which, along with KL Rahul's 87 not out, helped India recover from 0/2 down with a 311-run deficit and end the day on a relatively stable 174/2. read more India captain Shubman Gill bats on Day 4 of the fourth Test against England at the Old Trafford, Manchester. AP Captain Shubman Gill regained his form after a hat-trick of low scores in the ongoing Test series against England, scoring a defiant half-century and forging a solid third-wicket partnership with opener KL Rahul to help India recover from a woeful start. Gill was batting on 78 with Rahul on 87 as India reached 174/2 after 63 overs at close of play on Day 4 of the fourth Test at Manchester's Old Trafford, making a strong recovery after losing two wickets without opening their account. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Gill surpasses Kohli's 655 runs against England in 2016 Gill, in the process, added another feather to his cap in what has been a memorable maiden series as India Test captain. The 25-year-old broke the record for most runs by an Indian Test captain in a single series, which had belonged to batting legend Virat Kohli – his predecessor at the No 4 spot in the format – until Saturday. Kohli's tally of 655 runs, which Gill surpassed on the penultimate day of the ongoing Test in Manchester, also came in a five-match Test series against England, albeit on home soil in late 2016. The 36-year-old had collected two centuries and four half-centuries in that series, which the Indians ended up winning by a dominant 4-0 margin. More from First Cricket India vs England LIVE Score, 4th Test Day 4: Gill and Rahul show resilience as India end the day strongly at 174/2 Gill, on the other hand, has collected three centuries so far in the ongoing series – all of which were collected in the first two Tests – including a majestic 269 in the second Test at Edgbaston that played a key role in the dominant 336-run victory. Gill's a long way off from the all-time record for most runs in a Test series – with the legendary Don Bradman having remained unchallenged since he amassed 974 runs in the 1930 Ashes in England. The newly-appointed Test skipper, however, finds himself within touching distance of the record by an Indian batter, which remains in the possession of former captain Sunil Gavaskar for his 774 runs in four Tests in the his debut series – against West Indies in 1971. At stumps on the penultimate day of the Manchester Test, Gill's tally in the ongoing series stood at 685, meaning he needs less than 100 runs – 90 to be precise – to surpass 'Sunny G'.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG: Deja vu at Old Trafford! Sai Sudharsan's golden duck evokes old Gautam Gambhir moment
Sai Sudharsan and Gautam Gambhir (AP/Screengrab) Sai Sudharsan, who had stood tall for India in the first innings with a gritty 61, endured a nightmare moment on Day 4 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford as he fell for a golden duck in India's second innings. His dismissal, eerily similar to one from a decade ago, brought back memories of Gautam Gambhir's first-ball exit in 2014 at The Oval. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! England, having piled up a daunting 669 in response to India's 358, secured a commanding 311-run lead. Chasing the deficit, India suffered a catastrophic start. Yashasvi Jaiswal was the first to go, falling for a duck on the fourth ball of the innings to Chris Woakes . In stepped Sudharsan, who was expected to anchor the innings alongside KL Rahul. However, hopes of a rebuild were dashed almost instantly. Facing Woakes, Sudharsan shouldered arms to a delivery that reared up just enough to take the bottom edge of his bat. The ball flew to second slip where Harry Brook completed a sharp catch, leaving India reeling at 0 for 2. The mode of dismissal and its timing in a high-pressure series bore a striking resemblance to an episode from India's tour of England in 2014. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Clearance Sale: Exclusive handcrafted handbags - now 70% off Handmakers Report Read Now Undo Back then, in the fifth Test at The Oval, senior opener Gautam Gambhir was dismissed on the very first ball he faced, attempting to leave a James Anderson delivery that clipped the edge and was caught behind by Jos Buttler. That match ended in a crushing defeat for India, by an innings and 244 runs, and England clinched the five-Test series 3-1. Now in Manchester, India find itself in similarly dire straits. With two wickets lost, the team faces a mammoth task to save the Test and keep the series hopes alive. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
