Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic could be forgiven if, during their upcoming Wimbledon semifinal, either man glanced across the net and felt as if he were peering into a mirror held up by Father Time. As if the image therein was of the same man, during different stages of his career.
Most of the chatter going into this Wimbledon was about a potential rematch in the budding rivalry between 23-year-old Sinner and 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, a match-up that exploded like a fireworks display a few weeks ago in Paris. But Djokovic’s record at Wimbledon, along with his talent for always—but always—surpassing expectations, has become a surprising detour on the road to that reprisal.
It may be an exaggeration to describe this match as Djokovic’s last stand. Such ideas had been floated before, only for Djokovic to shatter them. But it still looks like this may be the 38-year-old’s last best chance to become the only man or woman with 25 Grand Slam singles titles. He loves the quick points and soft and friendly grass courts of Wimbledon, where he’s earned seven titles. He’s healthier than he’s been in a long time. But he is 38.
“Last year, I was still doubting whether the [previously injured] knee would hold up, or whether I was able to slide or do my movement as freely as I want,” Djokovic, who is seeded No. 6, said in his pre-Wimbledon press conference. “This year I'm not thinking about the knee, nor do I have any other major physical issue to think about.”
(Well, aside from the spill he took at the very end of his quarterfinal win over Flavio Cobolli.)