After securing his place in what will be his ninth Wimbledon Finals, Novak Djokovic has made a commitment to fans of the sport that he has no intentions of slowing down any time soon.
Djokovic will continue in his quest for a record 24 grand slam title on Sunday after defeating 21-year-old Italian tennis professional Jannik Sinner without dropping a set in the men’s semifinal round on Friday.
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Italy’s Jannik Sinner greet each other at the net after their semi-final match during day 12 of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on Friday. (Visionhaus/Getty Images)
«The semi-finals, it was always going to be a very close and very tense match,» Djokovic said during his post-match press conference on court, adding that the scoreline did not accurately represent the tough battle.
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«[Sinner] He has shown why he is one of the leaders of the next generation and one of the best players in the world that we have, without a doubt.»
«It’s great to be a part of this new generation, I love it,» Djokovic said with a smile.
Soon he will play against the best male player of 20 years. Carlos Alcaraz, but Djokovic seemed unfazed by the age gap between him and some of the game’s fiercest competitors.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after his semi-final victory over Jannik Sinner of Italy during day 12 of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on July 14, 2023. (Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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“We are part of individual sport, so you have to trust yourself and try to put yourself in the best possible physical, mental and emotional state before you go out on the court,” he said. «I tried not to see age as an obstacle or a factor that could decide the outcome on the court. On the contrary, I actually feel like 36 is the new 26, I guess. It feels good.»
«I feel very motivated and inspired to play the tennis that I really love. Obviously, this sport has given me a lot in my life, my family and my team. I am forever grateful and I will do it.» I try to be honest and return the favor to this sport and play as much as I can.»
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Carlos Alcaraz of Spain looks on against Holger Rune of Denmark in the men’s singles quarter-final match during day 10 of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London on Wednesday. (Patricio Smith/Getty Images)
Alcaraz defeated No. 3 Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 on Friday to reach his first major tournament final on grass. He is seeking his second Grand Slam title after winning the US Open last september.
If Djokovic prevails on Sunday, he would be the oldest champion at Wimbledon since professionals were first allowed to compete that year. He will also be one step closer to achieving the first Grand Slam in a calendar year by a man since Rod Laver in 1969.
Associated Press contributed to this report.