For the first time in 52 advances to this stage of a major tournament, Novak Djokovic looked resigned to his fate. A man who had exhibited every shade of human emotion here on Centre Court, from shushing the crowd in rage to eating the grass in rapture, found himself reduced by the remorseless Jannik Sinner to a state of meek acquiescence. A career defined by outrageous numbers, from 24 grand slam titles to 14 semi-finals on this one lawn alone, ultimately ran headlong into a pitiless age game, with the seven-time champion powerless at the age of 38 to resist a man 15 years his junior. It felt, in every sense, like a bloodless revolution.
On this occasion there was no electrifying comeback, no pounding of the chest in defiance. Djokovic, outclassed at every stage of this 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 pummelling by his new-found nemesis Sinner, simply packed his bag and slipped off into the shadows, perhaps never to be seen in his Wimbledon whites again. He insisted, however, that it would not be his swansong.
The hierarchy is beyond dispute now: while Djokovic might represent a fearsome proposition for almost anybody on tour, he has clearly dropped a level below Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the twin titans of the modern game. It is an inferiority he is unlikely to continue tolerating. And for this reason, his quest for a 25th major title looks as if it will remain unfulfilled.
But Djokovic insisted, even deep into his fourth decade, that he would be back at the All England Club in 12 months’ time. “I would be sad, but hopefully it’s not my last match on the Centre Court,” he said. “I’m not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today. So I’m planning to come back definitely at least one more time, play on Centre Court for sure. I’ve put everything I possibly can when it comes to training and preparing myself so I can play my best at grand slams. Those are the tournaments that I care about at this stage of my career the most.”
So often, Djokovic has struggled to be loved on Centre, cast instead as the saboteur who thwarted the ageing majesty of Roger Federer in three finals. But for once, he was the clear favourite of a crowd desperate to see a heroic stand by the last active member of the Big Three. It was a hope that never threatened to bear fruit, with Sinner’s metronomic serving and rapier groundstrokes snuffing out the Serbian’s resistance. While he seemed impaired in his movement, calling for a trainer after going two sets to love down in little over an hour, the brutal truth was that he confronted an unbridgeable gulf in fitness.
By the end, he was failing even to chase down some of Sinner’s shots, racing between points as if craving a swift, merciful conclusion. Sinner, reaching his first Wimbledon final, was only too happy to oblige. His sheer consistency is staggering: this will be his fourth major final in succession, a streak somehow accomplished despite a three-month ban for doping. Djokovic had no answers for the savage efficiency of his style, with the Italian hitting 77 per cent of his first serves in the opening set and cleaning the lines with laser-like precision. Just when it looked as if there might be a rousing riposte, with Djokovic holding a point for a double break in the third, Sinner grasped two consecutive breaks of his own to crush the great man’s spirit.
Djokovic could not have been clearer about the stakes: if he was to accomplish No 25, it had to be here, and it had to be now. While the power disparity with Sinner and Alcaraz was glaring on both clay and hard courts, he felt that his grass-court guile could still give him an edge at Wimbledon. That optimism would prove misplaced: true, his capabilities were formidable once more, but not quite of the standard to lay his hands on the golden Challenge Cup for an eighth time. To seize glory on this stage, he knew he needed to beat both Sinner and Alcaraz in the space of 48 hours. Gruelling? It was the equivalent, at his age and with the amount of strain he had put on his body, of scaling the north face of the Eiger in tennis shoes.
It’s been a pleasure to watch your tennis at #Wimbledon this year, Novak 👏
Congratulations on your run at The Championships 2025 ✨ pic.twitter.com/nnjteBGoKk
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 11, 2025
Plainly, Djokovic was not at his most supple to face Sinner, a fact that grieved him more than anything. Having given up one semi-final this season due to injury, against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open, he found it difficult to accept a repeat misfortune. “It’s just age, wear and tear of the body,” he said. “As much as I’m taking care of it, reality hits me like never before. Playing best-of-five, particularly this year, has been a real struggle for me physically. I reach the semis of every slam, but I have to play Sinner of 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 a match like that.”
The cheer was never louder for Djokovic than when he held serve at 3-1 in the second against the Italian ball machine, a moment which fuelled his emotional energy. At 3-0 up in the third, he was pleading for more crowd noise to help inspire him towards a miracle. The older he becomes, though, the more he discovers that the miracles of old elude him.
07:23 PM BST
Is this the last time we will see Djokovic play on Centre Court?
It’s been a pleasure to watch your tennis at #Wimbledon this year, Novak 👏
Congratulations on your run at The Championships 2025 ✨ pic.twitter.com/nnjteBGoKk
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 11, 2025
07:19 PM BST
Sinner on facing Alcaraz next
We saw the last final – you never know [what will happen]! It’s a huge honour for me to share the court with Carlos. We try to push ourselves to the limit, he is one of the players I look up to and I love watching him.
Hopefully it’s going to be a good match like the last one, I don’t know if it can be better because I don’t think it’s possible!
But we will try to do our best, hopefully it will be an enjoyable match to play and for you all to enjoy.
07:12 PM BST
Sinner reacts
It’s amazing, I can’t believe it. It’s a tournament I always watched when I was young and I would have never imagined I could play in the final.
I know how much work me and my team are putting in, my dad and brother arrived today so it’s even more special, and playing here in front of you guys is amazing.
I served very well and was moving much better today. We all saw, especially in the third set, he was a bit injured. He’s been in a difficult situation but I tried to stay calm, play the best tennis I can in the important moments, and let’s see what’s coming now in the final.
07:06 PM BST
It’s the final we all wanted
06:57 PM BST
Watch: How Sinner reached the final
It’s a maiden #Wimbledon final for Jannik Sinner 💥
The Italian defeats Novak Djokovic with a dazzling 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory to line up a Sunday afternoon meeting with Carlos Alcaraz 🤝
Just world No.1 doing world No.1 things 😅 pic.twitter.com/jObVzUdMqA
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 11, 2025
06:53 PM BST
Djokovic 3-6, 3-6, 4-6 Sinner*
Here we go then. Game starts with Djokovic awkwardly going long with a backhand. Sinner finds the baseline with a backhand and Djokovic’s reply sails long, 30-0.
Wide Sinner serve and Djokovic can’t get this return into play, three match points.
Sinner squanders the first with a forehand into the net. Sinner first serve, Djokovic short forehand reply, he doesn’t even try to get back in position and that allows Sinner to place a forehand into the open court.
GAME SET MATCH SINNNNNER!!!!
06:48 PM BST
Djokovic* 3-6, 3-6, 4-5 Sinner
Sinner wants to get this done now. A drive forehand winner makes it 30-30. Sinner guesses right on a Djokovic backhand, hits a backhand of his own and Djokovic pushes a volley wide, match point.
Djokovic stays live when Sinner’s backhand goes long. But the Italian earns another chance.
118mph ace from Djokovic, deuce. Sinner forehand long and Djokovic gives himself one last chance to break.
06:43 PM BST
Djokovic 3-6, 3-6, 3-5 Sinner*
Djokovic is trying to keep the points short but can’t keep the ball in court. 127mph ace from Sinner gives him two game points.
And he holds with a backhand winner.
06:42 PM BST
Djokovic’s proud record poised to end
If Djokovic does lose this match – and he is not moving well at all now – it will be the first time since 2017 that he has not reached the final of Wimbledon.
It will also be his first defeat in the semi-finals at Wimbledon since 2012.
06:41 PM BST
Djokovic* 3-6, 3-6, 3-4 Sinner
Murmurs from the crowd as Djokovic turns his back on another point after being pulled out of position, 15-15. Djokovic attacks the net, Sinner backhand pass and Djokovic nets the volley. Two break points.
Sinner returns a forehand to a serve and volleying Djokovic’s feet and the Serbian can’t control the volley and nets.
Sinner breaks for his fourth game in a row. Can’t see Djokovic coming back now.
06:37 PM BST
Djokovic 3-6, 3-6, 3-3 Sinner*
The match is on Sinner’s racket. If he plays as he is, he will win and get off court pretty quickly. Which will be ideal with Alcaraz to come on Sunday.
Sinner holds to 15 to level the set.
06:33 PM BST
Djokovic* 3-6, 3-6, 3-2 Sinner
Sinner digs out forehand and Djokovic nets a high volley, 15-30. Djokovic forehand into the net, two break points.
Djokovic hammers down a first serve, Sinner gets his return into play, Djokovic opts for a drop shot and nets. Sinner breaks back.
06:29 PM BST
Djokovic 3-6, 3-6, 3-1 Sinner*
Djokovic has found his best level and Sinner is now looking flustered. Djokovic does not like moving to his left side. Will Sinner target the Djokovic backhand?
Sinner drop shot into the net. That was very nervy. Break point Djokovic. Djokovic high defensive lob, Sinner lets the ball bounce and puts away the overhead smash, deuce.
132mph Sinner first serve down the T brings up game point and he survives when Djokovic sends a return long.
06:21 PM BST
Djokovic* 3-6, 3-6, 3-0 Sinner
All of a sudden, Djokovic can’t miss and Sinner can only find the net. Incredible turnaround.
Novak Djokovic has had to wait for a chance to break, but when the opportunity came, he took it.
His first break point of the match and it came when it needed to. Djokovic, aged 38, is leading the world number one in the third set.
06:18 PM BST
Djokovic 3-6, 3-6, 2-0 Sinner*
Djokovic pulls out of running for a Sinner shot on the opening point. Self-preservation mode.
He gets his first break point of the match when Sinner shanks a forehand high and out of court, 30-40. Sinner forehand into the net, Djokovic breaks.
Fans are on their feet. Is a comeback of the ages really on?
06:14 PM BST
Third set: Djokovic* 3-6, 3-6, 1-0 Sinner
Extensive work is done by the trainer to Djokovic’s thigh. The Serbian looks to be in discomfort but will continue.
He holds to love here to start the set.
06:12 PM BST
Look who’s here
06:09 PM BST
Medical timeout for Djokovic
Trainer comes out to attend to Djokovic. Appears to be an issue with his upper left leg.
06:09 PM BST
‘Sinner has Djokovic’s number’
Novak Djokovic has not beaten Jannik Sinner in a grand slam since the last time the two met at Wimbledon, although that was back in 2023.
Since then he has only won once, at the indoor finals later that year, but Sinner has won the last four meetings between the two, including at this year’s Roland Garros, and last year’s Australian Open.
06:07 PM BST
Djokovic 3-6, 3-6 Sinner*
Nervy looking double fault by Sinner to opening the game. Djokovic then stumbles over his feet as he pushes a backhand into the net, 15-15.
Wide Sinner serve is dumped into the net by Djokovic. Forehand return long by Djokovic brings up two set points for Sinner.
134mph ace from Sinner and the Italian takes a commanding two-set lead.
06:04 PM BST
Djokovic* 3-6, 3-5 Sinner
Problems for Djokovic as he slips to 0-30. Djokovic pulls it back to 30-all. He hits a forehand approach to Sinner and gets passed by a forehand lazer down the line, break point.
Timely ace from Djokovic saves the break point. Sinner is making Djokovic work to get out of this game as we go to a fourth deuce.
A Sinner backhand into the net and Djokovic just about survives. The crowd are willing him here to break back as Sinner prepares to serve for the set.
05:56 PM BST
‘Masterclass from Jannik Sinner’
It is hard to believe watching this masterclass from Jannik Sinner that just two matches ago he was on the brink of what would have been a surprise early exit from Wimbledon.
Against Grigor Dimitrov he was two sets down and not playing well, only for Dimitrov to have to retire with an injury, putting Sinner in the next round.
Sinner was also dealing with an elbow injury, but still came through in straight sets against Ben Shelton and looks well rested, focused and firing now.
05:53 PM BST
Djokovic 3-6, 2-5 Sinner*
Support on Centre is clearly with Djokovic. Every point he wins is being cheered wildly in different pockets of the stadium. Sinner keeps his cool though and holds when Djokovic nets a forehand. Sinner is a game away from a two-set lead and we haven’t hit an hour yet.
05:51 PM BST
Djokovic* 3-6, 2-4 Sinner
Quick service hold to 15 from Djokovic. He is persisting with this net rushing tactic and it is working at the moment. Will it be enough to turn the match around?
05:48 PM BST
Djokovic 3-6, 1-4 Sinner*
Swinging wide 123mph ace from Sinner to hold. The Italian looks to be unbeatable at the moment. This level of tennis is something only Alcaraz can keep up with.
05:44 PM BST
Djokovic* 3-6, 1-3 Sinner
Want a sign that all is not well with Djokovic? When he starts serving and volleying on every point like he’s in the 80s. He only does that when things aren’t right and it works for him here, moving to 40-0.
He holds to 15 with a forehand winner to stay in touch with Sinner.
Huge cheer, finally, for Djokovic as he holds serve for 3-1 in the second against the Italian ball machine. You wish the Centre Court ticket-holders would take their seats sooner for the resumption of play – it has taken 47 minutes for this match to assume any kind of emotional energy.
05:41 PM BST
Djokovic 3-6, 0-3 Sinner*
132mph ace down the T from Sinner, 30-15. 127mph ace down the T on the other side, 40-15. 121mph wide ace and Sinner holds.
Breathtaking tennis.
05:39 PM BST
Djokovic* 3-6, 0-2 Sinner
Djokovic falls 0-30 down but fights back to level at 30-all. Booom. Sinner smacks a backhand down the line for a winner, break point.
Djokovic sprays a forehand long and Sinner breaks to win his fourth game in a row.
Djokovic has been stymied by his slow starts at this tournament, shipping the opening set to both Alex de Minaur and Flavio Cobolli in previous rounds. But you cannot help but feel that 33-minute eclipse by Sinner bodes ill. The Italian’s pulverising dominance from the baseline made for a set more one-sided than the 6-3 scoreline suggests. He plainly holds no fear of the Serb’s legendary stamina.
05:36 PM BST
Second set: Djokovic 3-6, 0-1 Sinner*
Bang, bang, bang and bang. Sinner holds to love again. This is a hammering.
05:33 PM BST
‘Djokovic will face a difficult challenge here’
That was wrapped up very quickly by Sinner, taking the first set in just 33 minutes.
Djokovic has come from behind countless times in his career, but he will face a difficult challenge here.
It was a very serve-dominated opener, with most of the opportunities offered on the second serve, and both serving well.
05:32 PM BST
Djokovic* 3-6 Sinner
Sinner forehand deep and down the middle, Djokovic can’t adjust and nets a forehand, 15-30. Djokovic doesn’t look right to me.
Two set points for Sinner after coming out on top with a cat-and-mouse rally. Djokovic saves the first. Then the second when Sinner nets a backhand. He would like that shot back, methinks.
Djokovic forehand wide, third set point for Sinner. A sluggish Djokovic sends a backhand long and Sinner deservedly takes the set.
05:23 PM BST
Djokovic 3-5 Sinner*
133mph ace from Sinner to seal the game. The world No 1 is putting on a show so far.
05:20 PM BST
Djokovic* 3-4 Sinner
Djokovic is having to work so hard to stay with Sinner. The Italian is absolutely crushing the ball at the moment. Djokovic using all his experience to slow him down and he holds to just about stay in touch.
05:16 PM BST
Djokovic 2-4 Sinner*
Sinner is serving very well for someone with an elbow issue. Djokovic struggled to get returns in play and looking underpowered compared to his opponent.
05:13 PM BST
‘Novak Djokovic is looking at the future and being forced to run’
How the tables have turned. Novak Djokovic is looking at the future and being forced to run all round the court by Jannik Sinner, exactly what he used to do to his opponents back in the day.
Both players were reportedly struggling in the build-up, Sinner with an elbow problem, and Djokovic with an awkward slip before he won his quarter-final against Fabio Cobolli.
05:12 PM BST
Djokovic* 2-3 Sinner
Third love hold of the match already. After the dominant serving in the first semi-final, I hope we get more rallies in this match.
05:10 PM BST
Djokovic 1-3 Sinner*
Djokovic finally get a point on the Sinner serve to make it 40-15. The Italian then double-faults to give Djokovic an opening but he consolidates the break when Djokovic sends a backhand long.
There are empty seats aplenty on Centre Court for the start of the second men’s semi-final, in part because of the tight turnaround between matches.
It will undoubtedly fill up as the first set goes on, but Anna Wintour has stayed resolutely in the Royal Box for this one, although she is one of the few who have.
05:06 PM BST
Djokovic* 1-2 Sinner
Extra pace on his backhand from Sinner is too much for Djokovic who goes long, 15-30. Great point, Djokovic half volley drop shot, Sinner lifts up a lob over his head, Djokovic opts for a tweener and the ball is wide, two break points.
Djokovic backhand into the net and Sinner breaks.
05:03 PM BST
Djokovic 1-1 Sinner*
Sinner had his own fitness concerns coming into the match but he looks to be healthy and firing on all cylinders as he holds to love.
04:59 PM BST
First set: Novak Djokovic* 1-0 Jannik Sinner (*denotes server)
No rally to speak of in the opening game so can’t comment on Djokovic’s fitness. His arm is working well though as he holds to love.
04:54 PM BST
Here we go!
A Centre-Court epic awaits 🤩
Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic walk out for the second semi-final, knowing a Sunday afternoon meeting with Carlos Alcaraz awaits the winner 👀#Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/Nd8x46qWOR
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 11, 2025
04:52 PM BST
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04:28 PM BST
Who will take on Carlos Alcaraz in the final?
Hello and welcome to coverage from day 12 at Wimbledon as Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic battle for the right to play Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s final.
Doubt surrounds the fitness of Djokovic after the 38-year-old suffered an awkward fall late on in his quarter-final victory over Flavio Cobolli on Wednesday. On Thursday, he first delayed and then cancelled his scheduled practice session at the All England Club. Sinner comes into the match with his own problems after hurting his elbow against Grigor Dimitrov on Monday.
Djokovic has not beaten Sinner since 2023 and is on a run of four straight losses to the Italian, including in the last four at the Australian Open last year and French Open last month.
“Hopefully I can deliver the level and be able to stay with him for potentially five sets, because that’s… Yeah, it’s going to take the best of me at the moment to beat Jannik. I mean, I know that,” he said,
“So that’s the only thing I’m thinking about right now, just getting myself physically and mentally in the right state so I can fight with him for as long as it’s necessary.”
Sinner is bidding to reach a first Wimbledon final – as well as a fourth grand slam decider in a row – and will be looking for a first win on grass against Djokovic having lost to him here in both 2022 and 2023.
“Back in the days, a couple of years ago, many things have changed for me,” the world No 1 said. “I feel that before matches I’m more comfortable, let’s say, or confident. But in the same time, I know that I have to keep working and keep putting pressure on myself because new players are coming. The new, new generation is growing. Novak is here and obviously Carlos and a lot of other players.
“The work never stops, you know? I think that’s exciting. But yeah, I believe that I’m different player, different person.”
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