Novak Djokovic was hoping to win his 25th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, but it wasn’t to be.
Defeating Alex de Minaur and Flavio Cobolli in four sets, Djokovic advanced to the semifinals, where he took on the world number one.
Standing between Djokovic and a place in the Wimbledon final was Jannik Sinner, the man whom the Serb beat at SW19 in 2022 and 2023.
Getting his revenge, Sinner dominated Djokovic in straight sets 6-3, 6-3, 6-4, ending the 38-year-old’s streak of six consecutive Wimbledon final appearances.
Hampered by an injury picked up on match point against Cobolli in the quarterfinals, Djokovic looked a step off the pace throughout his semifinal with Sinner.
Reacting to the world number six’s Wimbledon exit, former Grand Slam finalist Greg Rusedski suggested what he now thinks is the honest truth about Djokovic.
Greg Rusedski says Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are ‘just better’ than Novak Djokovic
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after Djokovic’s semifinal defeat to Sinner, Rusedski shared his thoughts on Sinner, Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz.
“The new rivalry has arrived,” he said.
“We wanted to see Sinner and [Carlos] Alcaraz in the major finals; they have separated themselves from the pack right now.
“These are the guys that strike the ball harder than anybody on the planet consistently, and this is what tennis needs right now, and also let’s share a thought for Djokovic.
“He’s had an incredible career, but these guys are just better than him at the moment.”
Enjoying a career that has many picking him as the G.O.A.T. [Greatest of all time], it’s fair to say that Djokovic has slowed down over the past few years.
Since the beginning of the 2024 season, Djokovic has picked up just two titles and has failed to add to his major tally, whilst his younger rivals ascended to the top of the men’s game.
| Player | Grand Slam titles | Masters 1000 titles | Olympic medals | ATP Titles | Weeks at number one |
| Jannik Sinner | 3 | 3 | – | 9 | 57 |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 3 | 3 | Silver | 9 | 0 |
| Novak Djokovic | 0 | 0 | Gold | 2 | 23 |
At 38 years of age, it’s going to be difficult for Djokovic to turn the tide, but if anyone can do it, it’s going to be him.
Rusedski was also keen to comment on Sinner’s run at the All England Club, which he believes was comfortable, barring a blip in the fourth round.
“Well, it has been, and almost sometimes you need a little bit of luck to reach your first Wimbledon final,” he said.
“That match with Grigor [Dimitrov] was the luck he needed. Grigor was by far the better player. He fell down and slipped, hurt that elbow, and hyperextended it.
“Managed to get through that through a default, and from there on in he has been superb and today was a statement performance.
“He’s in the Wimbledon final for the first time.”
Trailing by two sets to love against the Bulgarian, Sinner advanced via a walkover and hasn’t dropped another set since.
Sinner will now prepare for his Wimbledon final with Alcaraz, which will take place on Sunday, July 13.
What’s next for Novak Djokovic after Wimbledon defeat?
Djokovic has now lost three Grand Slam semifinals in 2025, coming up short against the very best on the ATP Tour.
- 2025 Australian Open SF – Novak Djokovic lost to Alexander Zverev
- 2025 French Open SF – Novak Djokovic lost to Jannik Sinner
- 2025 Wimbledon SF – Novak Djokovic lost to Jannik Sinner
The Serb seems to have found himself in an awkward position, where he is one of the three best players alive, but the gap to the number one and two is widening.
At the Grand Slam events, Djokovic’s level is good enough to beat pretty much anyone in the world, except for Alcaraz and Sinner.
Following Djokovic’s defeat to Sinner in Paris, he suggested that he may never return to Roland Garros, although he wasn’t quite so down on Friday evening.
During Djokovic’s post-match press conference, he confirmed his plans to return to SW19 in 2026.
“Hopefully it’s not my last match on Centre Court. I’m not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today,” he said.
“I’m planning to come back, definitely at least one more time.”
Only time will tell if we will see Djokovic back on Centre Court in 2026, but it will certainly be something to look out for.
Djokovic is currently scheduled to return to action at the Canadian Open Masters 1000 event, which begins on Monday, July 28.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
