CNN –
Age is clearly just a number for Novak Djokovic, who is one game away from claiming a record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title after the Serb defeated Italy’s Jannik Sinner in straight sets and 6 in the first game on Friday: 3, 6:4, 7:6 won the men’s semifinals.
The win saw the 36-year-old reach a record-breaking 35th Grand Slam final – beating Chris Evert’s record – and will now face either Carlos Alcaraz or Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s final.
Regardless of his opponent, Djokovic will be the overwhelming favorite to claim a record-breaking 24th Grand Slam title, not least having already won the Australian Open and French Open in 2023.
The Serb has lost just one Wimbledon final he’s reached – that was 10 years ago when he was beaten by Andy Murray.
Djokovic, always the showman, got into a back-and-forth with a fan who was celebrating after missing a first serve at break point towards the end of a tense third set. After finally holding serve, Djokovic turned to face the fan and pretended to wipe his eyes.
Appearing in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career, Sinner allowed it all off the pitch but was no match for Djokovic’s unrelenting brilliance.
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Novak Djokovic kisses the grass after beating Jannik Sinner.
The 21-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in tennis, will no doubt be back on that stage at a Grand Slam in the not too distant future, but for now it’s the sport’s Elder Statesman who continues to reign supreme in SW19.
“The semi-finals were always a very close and exciting game, as it was,” Djokovic said magnanimously in his on-pitch interview. “Three very short sentences. I think the result might not reflect the reality of what happened on the pitch, it was super close.
“That third set could have gone his way, he was 15-40 at 5-4…he missed a few shots to put me in the tiebreak. There was a lot of pressure in the third half, I had my chances early on, but he showed why he’s one of the next generation leaders and one of the best players in the world.
“It’s great to be part of this new generation, I love it,” joked Djokovic.
Early signs were promising for Sinner, who secured a break point in Djokovic’s first service game but failed to convert it. However, things quickly began to unravel as Sinner’s serve was broken in his opening game and Djokovic took control of the opener.
Overall, Sinner had three break points against Djokovic in the first set, but failed to capitalize on any of them while his opponent ruthlessly converted the only chance he had.
The second set largely followed the same pattern as Sinner was broken again early and a dejected expression spread across his face after a rather lazy game of tennis.
There was a bizarre moment in the second set when referee Richard Haigh Djokovic called for an obstruction and awarded the point to Sinner after the Serb let out a belated grunt on a backhand shot.
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Jannik Sinner was no match for Novak Djokovic.
“The obstacle [call] “Earlier today in the game, the course of the game could have changed,” Djokovic said.
“I was really nervous after that call from the referee but was able to regroup and it was probably the first time in my career that something like this had happened.
“I don’t usually have an extended grunt, maybe it was an echo off the roof or something. “I didn’t feel like I was causing any handicap, but it was reputation and I had to respect it.”
Haigh then called Djokovic for a time violation on his serve. While it was undoubtedly the right decision this time, it only increased the frustration of both Djokovic and the crowd.
Unimpressed by the referee’s decisions, Djokovic held at love before eventually taking a two-set lead.
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Djokovic argues with the referee after a point deduction for screaming.
Much credit goes to Sinner for continuing to fight deep into the third set, pumping his fist towards his box at every roaring winner, including one who clocked 100mph on the speed gun.
In fact, the youngster was now playing his best tennis of the match and his reward was a chance to win the third set in the tiebreak.
However, there was no denying that Djokovic turned up the heat again, securing the tiebreak and the match.
Even at the ripe old age of 36 – at least in terms of tennis – Djokovic says he may be playing the best tennis of his career.
“I’d like to think that’s the case,” he said. “I mean we are part of an individual sport so you have to rely on yourself and put yourself in the best possible physical, mental and emotional state before you go on the pitch.
“That’s why I tried not to see age as an obstacle that could affect the outcome on the pitch. I think 36 is the new 26, it feels good.
“I feel very motivated and inspired to play the tennis that I really love. This sport has given me so much and I’m eternally grateful, so I’m going to try… I guess I’m going to return the favor to this sport and play as much as I can.”