END OF AN ERA FOR WEARY NOVAK

NOT even Novak Djokovic can beat the passing of time.

- By Neil McLeman

And the Serbian superstar admitted “it’s just age” as he limped to a heavy semifinal defeat by 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.

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 was just too quick, too strong and too young for him.

It was the kind of destruction that Djokovic used to wreak on his hapless opponents in his days of domination. Sinner won 81 percent of points on his first serve — and all 12 in the first set - and broke the Djokovic serve five times.

If it had been a boxing match, it would have been stopped.