From the special reporter "Vijesti"
A thunderous applause erupted from the stands of Wimbledon's Centre Court as Novak Djokovic left the arena. Was the great, greatest champion, for the last time treading the legendary grass of London's SW19 address - the grass he had tasted seven times?
The same question was probably asked by every one of the 15 or so spectators who applauded from the stands, and millions by the TV screens. Perhaps it was asked by Novak Djokovic himself. A moment - historic, it could be, although Djokovic and his fans imagined this history differently.
Twenty-five may have seemed close, the fast surface of Wimbledon probably the best chance; now it's far away - and seemingly unattainable. The years go by...
Janik Siner, a 23-year-old from South Tyrol, was too strong for Djokovic for the fifth time in a row, the third time in a row at a Grand Slam, the second in just three weeks. Last month in Paris, today in London, Novak Djokovic, a decade and a half older, did not take a single set from him.
Reality is inevitable, facts are undeniable, no one has beaten time - not even the greatest champion Novak Djokovic can, even though he has done a lot to move that end as far as possible, accomplishing another feat in a small way.
Reaching three Grand Slam semifinals in a row this year (AO, Roland Garros, Wimbledon) would be a success for almost every tennis player on the planet, an incentive, a motive, an energy - not for Djokovic: he has accustomed himself and others to much more.
In two of those three semifinals, he ended up injured, worn out, and on the other side of the net, young gladiators were waiting for him. And that is an inevitable biological process, related to tennis and any other sport. Siner and Alkaras seem to be a step or two above at the moment, and time is not Novak's ally.
The last dance of a champion? The title is catchy, but figurative - because, maybe it's not the last, who knows, and it definitely wasn't a dance. Someone else danced - his name is Siner, a guy who has three Grand Slam titles, and he's in the Wimbledon final for the first time.
The end of an era? Maybe that sounds more accurate. The era lasted a long time, too long...
Bonus video:
