LONDON (AP) - Novak Djokovic, at 38 years of age, has expressed his heartfelt feelings about making it to the semifinals of the Wimbledon Championship. After defeating 23-year-old Flavio Cobolli in the quarterfinals, Djokovic reflected, "It means the world to me that I’m still able to play in the final stages of Wimbledon." His sincere moment with the Centre Court crowd was met with cheers and applause, affirming his enduring presence in the sport. "Thank you for cheering for my age. I really appreciate it," he continued with a smile, acknowledging how competing against younger players also makes him feel rejuvenated.
As the last member of a golden era in men's tennis still on tour, Djokovic faces another 23-year-old, the world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, in the upcoming semifinal. This match is set to be compelling, especially since Djokovic is coming off four consecutive losses to Sinner in their previous encounters, including a defeat in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open.
Beyond facing Sinner, Djokovic has also felt the sting of defeat in recent title matches at Wimbledon against Carlos Alcaraz, who is nearly 16 years his junior. Alcaraz is currently ranked No. 2 and will meet the fifth seed, Taylor Fritz, who is 27, in the other semifinal match. Both Alcaraz and Sinner have recently demonstrated their dominance in the sport, having combined to win the last six Grand Slam titles. Their ascent underscores a notable shift in men’s tennis, with Djokovic being over a decade older than the other semifinal contenders.
As for Alcaraz, the Spanish player boasts five Grand Slam titles and recently won the Roland-Garros, where he made a remarkable comeback from a two-set deficit against Sinner in a thrilling final that extended over 5.5 hours. Sinner, with three Grand Slam wins under his belt, aims to solidify his position among tennis's elite. Interestingly, Fritz’s best result at a major was reaching the finals against Sinner at the U.S. Open last September, yet he still seeks his first Grand Slam title.
Djokovic’s impressive resume shines brighter than his competitors. With seven Wimbledon championships, he stands just one title shy of Roger Federer's record for the most men's titles at the prestigious tournament. Further, Djokovic has amassed a total of 100 tournament titles and holds the record for the most weeks spent at No. 1 in the world rankings.
During a recent conversation, Cobolli, despite his defeat to Djokovic, referred to him as "a legend of our sport," highlighting Djokovic's profound impact on tennis. As the competition intensifies, Sinner’s playing style echoes that of Djokovic, especially in areas like returning prowess and precision groundstrokes, making this semifinal matchup particularly significant. Djokovic has historically dominated their matches, winning the first three, including their encounters at Wimbledon in 2022 and 2023. However, Sinner has turned the tide in their recent matchups, boasting a 4-1 record since.
The semifinals scheduled for Friday will have both players closely monitored for injuries, as Djokovic experienced a fall during his last match against Cobolli, while Sinner injured his right elbow in his fourth-round match. Meanwhile, Alcaraz prepares to vie for his sixth Grand Slam title against Fritz, who has displayed notable improvements in his game, particularly on grass, which serves as an equalizer for his skills.
Just as Fritz aptly noted, he is relieved that they aren't competing on clay, an environment where he historically struggled. His excitement reflects a competitive spirit as he looks to take advantage of the grass surface at Wimbledon.
