Having secured a spot in his ninth Wimbledon final, Novak Djokovic assured fans he's not planning on retiring anytime soon. The tennis icon is aiming for a record-breaking 24th Grand Slam title after a decisive straight-set victory over 21-year-old Jannik Sinner in Friday's semifinal.
Following the match, Djokovic acknowledged the intensity of the competition, stating that the final score didn't fully reflect the challenging battle against Sinner, whom he praised as a future star and one of the best players in the world. Djokovic embraced being part of this new generation of players, expressing his enthusiasm for the competition.
Djokovic will face 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, the top-ranked men's player, in the final. Unconcerned about the age gap, Djokovic emphasized the individual nature of the sport and the importance of physical, mental, and emotional preparation. He jokingly stated that "36 is the new 26" and expressed his continued motivation and inspiration for the game. He acknowledged the profound impact tennis has had on his life and family, expressing gratitude and a desire to continue playing for as long as possible.
Alcaraz earned his place in his first Wimbledon final by defeating Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. He is pursuing his second Grand Slam title after winning the U.S. Open last year. A victory for Djokovic on Sunday would make him the oldest Wimbledon champion since professionals were allowed to compete and bring him one step closer to achieving the first calendar-year Grand Slam by a man since Rod Laver in 1969.
