Djokovic, devastated after defeat: "I give everything for the Slams, but the body doesn't want to accompany me"

Novak Djokovic left Wimbledon 2025 empty-handed after being defeated by Jannik Sinner. It wasn't just the score that worried many fans, but the harsh sight of seeing a deflated Nole, clearly physically limited, going through what seemed like a mere formality. What happened to the Serbian? Instead of going into detail about his discomfort, he made it clear in the press conference that despite taking care of himself like no other and giving his all to compete at 100% in Grand Slams, his fuel tank doesn't seem to fully support him when he reaches the final rounds, especially if he faces opponents like Sinner and Alcaraz, whom he says are "several steps above the rest."

- How physically committed did you feel throughout the match?

"A bit. Honestly, I didn't have very pleasant sensations on the court. I don't want to go into details about my injury and start whining about not being able to play at my best. I want to congratulate Jannik for another great performance. That's all. He's in the final. He was too strong. I feel disappointed that I didn't move as well on court as I thought or would have liked."

- After the Australian Open semifinals, you've had bad luck at crucial moments this year… but you see it differently

"I don't think it's bad luck. It's the age, the accumulated wear and tear on my body. As much as I take care of it comprehensively, reality is hitting me, especially in the last year and a half, like it never had before, honestly. It's hard for me to accept because I feel that when I'm fresh, when I'm in shape, I can still play great tennis. I've shown that this year.

I suppose that playing best-of-five sets, especially this season, has been truly physically challenging for me. As the tournament progresses, my condition deteriorates. I reach the final rounds; I've reached the semifinals of all the Slams, but I have to face Sinner and Alcaraz. These guys are young, strong, in good shape. I feel like I arrive at those matches with half a tank of gas, and it's impossible to win a match like that. That's how it is, it's one of those things that I accept and acknowledge; I have to deal with reality and try to maximize it as much as I can, I suppose."

- Ruling out saying goodbye to Wimbledon

"It would be sad if this were my last match at Wimbledon; I hope it isn't. It's not in my plans to end my career at Wimbledon today; my plan is to return to this court at least one more time, to play again on Centre Court, of course."

- What would make you say, 'This is my last Wimbledon'?

"I don't know. I have just come off the court, it's hard to put things into a broader perspective right now and talk about my plan for the coming months or years. I have given my all when it comes to training and preparing to play at my best level in the Grand Slams. Even if I haven't won any this year or last year, I feel that I am still showing my best level in them. These are the tournaments that matter most to me at this stage of my career. Now I have to reassess everything and consult with my team, my family, on how to proceed with my schedule and where I want to peak, how I want to train.

I don't know what I can do differently, honestly, because the amount of hours I spend every day taking care of my body, I would like to challenge the players on the circuit and see if anyone takes care of their body more than I do. And, unfortunately, I'm not getting rewarded for it with injuries in the final stretch of the Slams. Of course, I was rewarded before, for many years. Perhaps now I see it as a misfortune because I've received so much from God and my life throughout my career that it would be a disservice to God, to my body, and to everything I've had in my career if I started to complain about injuries now, because I've been healthy for so long and had such an incredible career...

I'm trying to maximize what I have left. Right now, I'm disappointed and sad, not necessarily because of the defeat, because even if I had been in shape, I wasn't the favorite to beat Sinner, I know that, but maybe I would have had good chances. The issue is that it's the physical aspect that's bothering me. You're there. You want to play. You have determination. However, the body doesn't want to listen to you. That's it. That's what I can say."

- On the exchange of words with Sinner at the net

"He apologized for me not feeling well today. He has nothing to apologize for. He did great today, and over the past year and a half, he has been the best player in the world. He is going to have the chance to win his first Wimbledon title, and I wish him good luck. These will be his first finals here, and I'm sure he will be super motivated. After the Paris final, the excitement for this final is huge, incredible. It's clear that they are several levels above the rest right now."

- Who do you think will win the final?

"I will slightly favor Carlos for the two titles he has won here, for the way he is playing, and for the confidence he has right now. But it's a very slight advantage because Jannik is hitting the ball incredibly well. I think it's going to be a very, very close match, similar to the one we had in Paris."

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic, destrozado tras la derrota: "Lo doy todo para los Slams, pero el cuerpo no quiere acompañarme"