Novak Djokovic would like to play Wimbledon 'at least 1 more time' - ESPN

WIMBLEDON, England — Just moments after his 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 loss to defending champion and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals Friday, Novak Djokovic said he hopes to return to the tournament next year.

«I would like to, at least one more time,» the 24-time major winner said during his postmatch news conference. «Let's see.»

It had been a lopsided outing on Centre Court, lasting 2 hours, 30 minutes and becoming just the third completed match of Djokovic's Grand Slam career in which he failed to break serve.

As has been the case for many of his major appearances in recent years, 39-year-old Djokovic sparked retirement speculation as he left the court Friday with a heartfelt wave to the crowd.

Djokovic didn't have many answers for the result, calling it a «good old blowout.»

Sinner was clinical in his takedown of seventh-seeded Djokovic. He faced just one break point, in the third set, and responded with an ace.

«I was just half-a-step late basically in any shot… it's very simple as that,» Djokovic said. «He was just a level or more better than I was. I was just… not sharp enough, not reactive enough, not balanced enough to play him. That's it. There's not much I could do on the court.»

On Tuesday night, Djokovic had been in vintage form in defeating No. 3 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in a marathon five-set thriller that lasted 5 hours, 15 minutes, the longest quarterfinal in tournament history.

Djokovic, a seven-time champion at the All England Club, called it «one of the best matches» he had ever been a part of at Wimbledon.

He reiterated a similar sentiment Friday and said it proved to himself and others that he «can still play at the highest level.»

Djokovic has been seeking his record-breaking 25th major