Novak Djokovic’s straight-set loss to top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon 2025 semifinals has reignited the retirement conversation surrounding the 38-year-old Serb legend. While his performance was admirable - fighting hard despite visible signs of physical wear - it also marked the third consecutive time in 2025 he failed to reach a Grand Slam final after faltering in semis.
For a player whose legacy is defined by dominance, resilience, and unparalleled consistency, results like this naturally raise the question: Is the end approaching?
Djokovic has nothing left to prove. With 24 Grand Slam titles (10 Australian Open, 3 French Open, 7 Wimbledon and 4 US Open), a record number of weeks as World No. 1, and a career defined by overcoming every era's best, he has already cemented his place in history. But recent injuries, reduced mobility, and the rise of younger challengers suggest a transition in men’s tennis is underway.
Djokovic acknowledged that reality was beginning to set in after he failed to overcome a 15-year age gap in a straight-set defeat (3-6, 3-6, 4-6) to the young Italian in the Wimbledon semifinals on Friday.
"Honestly, it wasn't really a pleasant feeling on the court. I don't want to talk in detail about my injury and just whine about not managing to play my best," the seven-time Wimbledon champion told reporters.
"I want to congratulate Jannik for a great performance. He's in the finals. He was too strong."
With Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray now retired, Djokovic stands as the last pillar of the Big Four. He has continued to represent the old guard admirably, reaching the semifinals at every Grand Slam this year.
The Serb retired injured against Alexander Zverev at the 2025 Australian Open, fell in straight sets to Jannik Sinner in Paris, and endured an even more emphatic loss to the Italian at Wimbledon on Friday. He also reached the last two Wimbledon finals, but came up short both times against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic’s last Grand Slam triumph came in 2023, when he claimed titles at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and the US Open - a historic trio. But with each passing tournament, he’s increasingly aware that time is no longer on his side.
"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, last year and a half, like never before, to be honest," said Djokovic, whose only titles over the past 18 months have been an Olympic gold in Paris and a modest victory at the Geneva Open in May.
"These guys are fit, young, sharp. I feel like I'm going into the match with a tank half empty. It's just not possible to win a match like that. It's one of these things I accept and embrace in some way, deal with the reality the way it is, and try to make the most out of it."
However, Djokovic isn’t ready to call it quits just yet - he’s determined to make one more push at Wimbledon.
"Hopefully it's not my last match on the Centre Court. I'm not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today," he said.
"So I'm planning to come back definitely at least one more time, play on the Centre Court for sure.
"Right now I'm so fresh off the court, it's hard to put things in a larger perspective and say what the plan is for the next few months or a year. I still feel like I continue to play my best tennis at Grand Slams. Those are the tournaments that I care about at this stage of my career the most."
To be clear, Djokovic remains capable of beating top-tier opponents. But the question is no longer just about skill - it’s about motivation, recovery, and whether hunger still burns.
If Wimbledon 2025 was his final deep run, it would be a fitting farewell at a venue he's ruled for years. Whether he plays on or calls time, Djokovic leaves behind not just a legacy - but an era.
For a player whose legacy is defined by dominance, resilience, and unparalleled consistency, results like this naturally raise the question: Is the end approaching?
Djokovic has nothing left to prove. With 24 Grand Slam titles (10 Australian Open, 3 French Open, 7 Wimbledon and 4 US Open), a record number of weeks as World No. 1, and a career defined by overcoming every era's best, he has already cemented his place in history. But recent injuries, reduced mobility, and the rise of younger challengers suggest a transition in men’s tennis is underway.
Djokovic acknowledged that reality was beginning to set in after he failed to overcome a 15-year age gap in a straight-set defeat (3-6, 3-6, 4-6) to the young Italian in the Wimbledon semifinals on Friday.
"Honestly, it wasn't really a pleasant feeling on the court. I don't want to talk in detail about my injury and just whine about not managing to play my best," the seven-time Wimbledon champion told reporters.
"I want to congratulate Jannik for a great performance. He's in the finals. He was too strong."
With Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray now retired, Djokovic stands as the last pillar of the Big Four. He has continued to represent the old guard admirably, reaching the semifinals at every Grand Slam this year.
The Serb retired injured against Alexander Zverev at the 2025 Australian Open, fell in straight sets to Jannik Sinner in Paris, and endured an even more emphatic loss to the Italian at Wimbledon on Friday. He also reached the last two Wimbledon finals, but came up short both times against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic’s last Grand Slam triumph came in 2023, when he claimed titles at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and the US Open - a historic trio. But with each passing tournament, he’s increasingly aware that time is no longer on his side.
"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, last year and a half, like never before, to be honest," said Djokovic, whose only titles over the past 18 months have been an Olympic gold in Paris and a modest victory at the Geneva Open in May.
"These guys are fit, young, sharp. I feel like I'm going into the match with a tank half empty. It's just not possible to win a match like that. It's one of these things I accept and embrace in some way, deal with the reality the way it is, and try to make the most out of it."
However, Djokovic isn’t ready to call it quits just yet - he’s determined to make one more push at Wimbledon.
"Hopefully it's not my last match on the Centre Court. I'm not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today," he said.
"So I'm planning to come back definitely at least one more time, play on the Centre Court for sure.
"Right now I'm so fresh off the court, it's hard to put things in a larger perspective and say what the plan is for the next few months or a year. I still feel like I continue to play my best tennis at Grand Slams. Those are the tournaments that I care about at this stage of my career the most."
To be clear, Djokovic remains capable of beating top-tier opponents. But the question is no longer just about skill - it’s about motivation, recovery, and whether hunger still burns.
If Wimbledon 2025 was his final deep run, it would be a fitting farewell at a venue he's ruled for years. Whether he plays on or calls time, Djokovic leaves behind not just a legacy - but an era.
