'It's age. It is what it is' - Djokovic speaks on the loss to Sinner

Novak Djokovic lost his Wimbledon semifinal, a tournament he's won seven times. Afterwards, he was clear about the reasons for his defeat:

Despite revealing he wasn't 100% physically, and even though Sinner apologised to him at the net, Nole downplayed any mitigating factors.

Djokovic acknowledged there are no excuses but dismissed the idea of retiring and promised to return next year.

"Reality is hitting me hard, in the last year and a half, like never before... I reached the semifinals of all the Grand Slams this year. I have to play against Sinner or Alcaraz... I feel like I'm going into the match with my tank half empty," said the 38-year-old Serb, as reported by Abola.

"He apologised for making me feel bad today. But he has nothing to apologise for. He played very well today, and in the last year and a half, he's been one of the best players in the world. He'll have a chance to win his first Wimbledon title.

"I wished him luck; it will be his first final here, and I'm sure he'll be super excited. After the final they played in Paris, I think the expectation for this final is high. It's incredible. They are definitely several levels above all of us," he acknowledged.

"I don't think it's bad luck. It's just age. The wear and tear on the body. As much as I'm taking care of it, this is the reality, and I'm facing it, in this last year and a half, like never before, to be honest. It's difficult for me to accept this because I feel that when I'm rested and in shape, I can still play very good tennis.

"I proved that this year. Playing best-of-five, especially this year, has been a real physical struggle for me. The longer the tournament goes on, the worse my physical condition gets. I reached the semis of all the Grand Slams this year," he repeated. "But Alcaraz, Sinner are in shape, they are young, focused.

"It's not possible to win matches like that. It is what it is. It's one of those things we have to accept and embrace somehow. Deal with reality as it is and try to make the most of it," he said in the press conference.

And while many thought this might be his farewell, the Serb was quick to dispel any doubts. At least for now. "I would be sad [if it were my last], but I hope it's not my last match on Centre Court. I don't intend to end my career at Wimbledon today. I intend to return, definitely, at least one more time," he declared.