DJOK HIT BY BODY BLOW

Age-old problem as Novak admits he can't cut it against sharp Sinner

- by NEIL MCLEMAN

NOT even Novak Djokovic can beat the passing of time.

And the Serbian superstar admitted "it's just age" as he limped to a heavy semifinal defeat to Jannik Sinner to mark the end of an era at Wimbledon.

Djokovic had been seeking a seventh successive final here and a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam at the age of 38.

But he struggled with a groin injury against the world No.1 and needed a mid-match medical timeout for treatment.

And Sinner, 23, took ruthless advantage to triumph 6-3 6-3 6-4 to set up a rematch of the epic French Open final with Carlos Alcaraz tomorrow.

It took only one hour and 55 minutes - Djokovic's fastest-ever Wimbledon defeat. Australian Open champion Sinner - watched by Emma Raducanu (inset) - was just too quick, too strong and too young for him.