Novak Djokovic Press Conference: Final prediction, retirement call, dealing with age, everything you need to know

For the third straight Slam, Novak Djokovic bowed out after loss against Jannik Sinner.

The world witnessed a never-before-seen version of Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon 2025 semi-finals. On the very same Centre Court where the Serbian had so often silenced the crowd and toppled legends like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray, he now struggled to move, with age finally appearing to catch up to the 38-year-old.

For any tennis fan, it was tough to watch a player who had dominated the sport for so long appear so helpless on court — searching for a breakthrough but repeatedly denied. Such defeats, especially in the twilight of a player’s career, often force them to reflect on their future, and without a doubt, Djokovic too must have wondered what lay ahead after this loss.

He opened up in his post-match press conference after the defeat (to the Wimbledon Press), addressing various pressing issues.

Full details about Novak Djokovic’s press conference

Q) How physically compromised you felt during the match?

Novak Djokovic: Quite a bit. It wasn’t a pleasant feeling on the court. But I don’t want to talk about in details of my injury and whine about not managing to play my best. I want to congratulate Jannik [Sinner] for another great performance. That’s it. He’s in the finals; he was too strong. I feel disappointed I wasn’t able to move as well as I thought or hoped I would.

Q) Just after what happened in Australia as well, it seems like you’ve been unfortunate at big moments this season. Does that make it even harder to take?

Novak Djokovic: 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, reality [has] hit me right now the last year and a half like never before to be honest.

It’s tough for me to accept that because I feel like when I’m fresh and fit I can still play very good tennis. I’ve proven that this year. Playing best of 5 particularly this year has been a real struggle for me physically.

The longer the tournament goes the worse the condition gets. I reached the semis of every slam this year. I have to play Sinner or [Carlos] Alcaraz. These guys are fit, young, sharp. I feel like I’m going into the match with the tank half empty.

It’s not possible to win the match like that. It is what it is. It’s one of those things you have to accept and embrace in some way. Deal with reality the way it is and try to make the most out of it.

Q) Do you think this will be your last match at Centre Court?

Novak Djokovic: I would be sad (if this turned out to be my last match here), but hopefully it’s not my last match on Centre Court. I’m not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today. I’m planning to come back definitely at least one more time.

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Q) How do you plan to cope with injuries affecting your Grand Slam performance?

Novak Djokovic: I probably have to revisit everything and see with my team and family how I want to proceed with my schedule and where I want to peak and how I want to train. Try to do things. I don’t know what I can do differently to be honest. Because the number of hours I spend on a daily basis to take care of myself.

I’d like to challenge everyone out there who’s on tour to see if anyone takes care of themselves more than me…and I unfortunately don’t get rewarded for that right now, with injuries at the later stages of Slams.

But I was rewarded for many many years. So I might see it right now as misfortune. But I’ve gotten so much from God and from the life in my career that it would be a disservice for me to [blame] God and to my body and everything I had in my career to start complaining about injuries.

Also Read: Jannik Sinner vs Novak Djokovic Semi-final Highlights & Replay

Because I’ve been fit for so long and had an incredible career. I’m just trying to make the maximum out of what I have left.

I just got off the court so of course I’m upset and disappointed. Mostly not for the loss. Even if I was fit, I wasn’t a favourite to win against Sinner. But I think I had good chances if I was fit. It’s just that that physical aspect is bothering me.

You’re there. You want to play. You’re determined. But the body doesn’t want to listen. That’s it. That’s all you can say about it.

Q) What did Jannik Sinner say to you near the net, after the match?

Novak Djokovic: He apologized for me feeling bad today. There’s nothing to apologize for from his side. Obviously, he’s done very well for himself today, and for the last year and a half he’s been the best player in the world. He’s gonna have a chance to win his first Wimbledon title.

I wished him luck; it’s going to be his first final here and I’m sure he’s going to be super pumped. After the final they played in Paris, I think the anticipation for this final is big. It’s amazing. They’re definitely several levels above everyone right now.

Q) Who do you think will win the Wimbledon 2025 title?

Novak Djokovic: I think I will give a slight edge to Carlos as a favourite because of the two titles he’s won here & the way he’s playing and the confidence he has right now. But it’s just a slight advantage. Because Jannik is hitting the ball extremely well. I think it’s going to be again a very close matchup like we had in Paris.

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