For the first time since 2018, Novak Djokovic will not be playing in the Wimbledon final—and the tennis world is in shock. The 24-time Grand Slam champion suffered a stunning semifinal defeat at the hands of Italy’s rising star Jannik Sinner, and fans are now questioning whether this could signal the beginning of the end for the Serbian legend.
The match, held on Centre Court, saw Sinner dominate with a level of precision and power that many fans hadn’t expected. Djokovic, who has been struggling with a lingering knee injury, looked slower than usual and failed to convert key opportunities in critical moments. By the end of the match, the crowd gave Sinner a standing ovation—but social media erupted for a very different reason.
#TimeForNovakToRetire began trending almost immediately on X (formerly Twitter), with fans from all over the world expressing mixed emotions. Some voiced deep sadness, others frustration, and many praised Djokovic’s iconic career but suggested that now might be the moment to gracefully bow out.
> “He’s a legend, no doubt. But today showed us that time catches up to everyone. Maybe it’s time to go out on a high note,” one fan wrote.
> “Sinner is the future. Novak is the past. Thanks for the memories, but this was hard to watch,” another added.
Still, the calls for retirement weren’t universal. Many die-hard Djokovic fans jumped to his defense, insisting that one bad day doesn’t define a legacy.
> “People were calling for Federer’s retirement for years and he still gave us magic till the very end. Novak still has gas in the tank!” a loyal supporter tweeted.
Djokovic, always composed, congratulated Sinner with class and gave no indication of retiring in his post-match interview. “It wasn’t my day. Jannik was the better player—he earned it. As for me, we’ll see what the future holds,” he said, leaving fans hanging on every word.
At 37, Djokovic remains one of the fittest and most competitive players on tour, but the younger generation—Sinner, Alcaraz, Rune—are now proving they can beat the best on the biggest stages.
Whether this is just a setback or the twilight of one of tennis’ greatest careers, one thing is clear: Wimbledon 2025 may be remembered not just for Sinner’s rise, but for the moment fans began to say goodbye to Novak Djokovic.
Only time—and the US Open—will tell what’s next for the Serbian giant.