Novak Djokovic has revealed Jannik Sinner apologised to him at the net following their Wimbledon clash on Friday.
Sinner booked his place in the final of the competition, where he'll face Carlos Alcaraz, with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 victory on Centre Court.
Djokovic had entered the enticing showdown hoping to continue his run of reaching the final, having done so every year since 2018.
However, the Serb was second best throughout the match - with Sinner capitalising to book his place in the showpiece event.
Novak Djokovic has revealed Jannik Sinner apologised to him at the net following their Wimbledon clash on Friday
PA
After the match, Djokovic revealed that Sinner apologised to him.
The former world No 1 struggled with injuries at this year's tournament and while he was touched by Sinner's gesture, he insisted there was no need for it.
"He apologised for me feeling bad today," said Djokovic. "There's nothing to apologise for from his side."
Djokovic has scaled the dizziest of heights during his career, with his tally of 24 Grand Slams unmatched by any other male player in history.
JUST IN: John McEnroe sends sad message to Novak Djokovic after crushing Wimbledon defeat to Jannik Sinner
There is a sense, however, that time is starting to run out for the veteran at the age of 38.
Djokovic hasn't won a Grand Slam since conquering the US Open in 2023, with Sinner and Alcaraz levels ahead at the current moment in time.
When asked about his long-term future in the sport, Djokovic refused to elaborate too much - though insisted he was still pleased with his level in the biggest competitions of them all.
"Right now I’m so fresh off the court, it’s hard to put things in a larger perspective and say what the plan is for the next few months or a year," he said.
READ MORE: Novak Djokovic makes retirement decision after Wimbledon thrashing
Novak Djokovic was outclassed by Jannik Sinner during Friday's Wimbledon semi-final clashPA"I’ve put everything I possibly can when it comes to training and preparing myself so I can play my best at Grand Slams.
"I think, regardless of the fact that I haven’t won a Grand Slam this year, or last year, I still feel like I continue to play my best tennis at Grand Slams.
"Those are the tournaments that I care about at this stage of my career the most.
"So yeah, I probably have to revisit everything and see with my team, with my family, how I want to proceed with my schedule and where I want to peak and how I want to train.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
"I don’t know what I can do differently, to be honest, because the amount of hours that I spend on a daily basis to take care of myself, I’d like to challenge everyone who is out there on the tour to see if anybody takes cares of themselves more than me.
"And I, unfortunately, don’t get rewarded for that right now, with injuries at the later stages of slams. But I was rewarded for many, many years.
"I’m just trying to make, I guess, the maximum out of what I have left.
"Again, I just got off the court, so of course, I’m upset and disappointed, mostly not for the loss, because obviously even if I was fit.
Novak Djokovic insisted he was proud of his performances at Wimbledon this term despite suffering an emphatic defeat to Jannik Sinner
PA"I wasn’t a favourite to win against Sinner, I know that, but I think I had good chances if I was fit."
As for Sinner, the world No 1 was delighted with his victory.
"It's amazing, I can't believe it. It's a tournament I always watched when I was young and I would have never imagined I could play in the final," said the Italian.
"I know how much work me and my team are putting in, my dad and brother arrived today so it's even more special, and playing here in front of you guys is amazing."