For Novak Djokovic, what he is doing now is good, but not good enough.

Reaching a Wimbledon semi-final at 39 - having beaten an opponent 14 years his junior over five hours and 15 minutes - showed he could still play at a high level.

But two days later, Djokovic left Centre Court having been ruthlessly swept aside by world number one Jannik Sinner in straight sets.

For most players, reaching a Grand Slam semi-final and final in the same year would be a success.

Not for Djokovic, who has been at the very top of the game - winning almost every title there is and breaking almost every record in history.

"For me, it's good but not good enough," Djokovic said. "I'm blessed and cursed to be used to something of a highest degree in terms of results and achievements.

"I'm telling myself, 'this is amazing that you're still able to play at such a high level and push the youngsters to the limit.'

"But I always have the highest expectations for myself."

When Djokovic met Sinner at this stage last year, he was carrying an injury.

This time, there was no injury. But there was another year in the body and another 16 hours and 32 minutes of court time in the legs, against an opponent who moved well, served even better and barely offered a glimpse of weakness.

Djokovic would have hoped for better from himself.

But as former world number one Andre Agassi said on BBC TV: "In this sport, as in life, hope is fragile but hard to kill."

Djokovic has won seven of his 24 Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon. There was no Carlos Alcaraz this year, but Sinner was always going to be a tough prospect - maybe more so after being motivated by his shock second-round loss at the French Open.

That said, it is hard not to think another golden opportunity for a standalone record 25th Slam has passed Djokovic by.

"I don't think realistically he has got another Grand Slam in him, unfortunately. I think this was the one," 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash said on BBC TV.

"Novak had some tough matches, but everything has got to go right and he has to have a good draw.

"Don't write him off coming back and being a threat at some stage, but not going all the way."

Djokovic maintained a high level in his epic last-eight win over Felix Auger-Aliassime, but it always felt like it would cost him.

Against Sinner, he was half a step slower. Rarely did he have a love hold, and he struggled to return Sinner's accurate, powerful serve.

Djokovic created just one break-point opportunity - when he was two sets and a break down. Sinner saved it with an ace and offered no more half-chances.

Some of the Italian's sliding and movement around the baseline was Djokovic-esque, as it was 12 months ago. And the man who inspired so many players with his style of play could not find an answer.

"Here I was feeling fine. Maybe not the freshest, like at the beginning of the tournament, but I was physically all right," Djokovic said.

"He was the much better player and was the dominant force. You just have to hand it to him and say: 'Congrats, well done.'"

Djokovic said he hoped to come back "at least once more" - and he is, ultimately, still beating players that, in theory, should have time and youth on their side.

He has been relaxed at this year's championships, from hitting sessions on the outer courts with his son to joking around with a ball girl during his second-round match.

It also feels as though there has been a switch in the way crowds receive him.

For a time, Djokovic was cast as the villain - the disruptor to the Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal rivalry that so engrossed fans. More emotive and more vocal, Djokovic would sometimes receive a hostile reception simply because he had beaten them.

He struggled to win over the crowd during his astonishing 2019 Wimbledon final victory over Federer and felt disrespected by their cheers in his match against Holger Rune two years ago.

But this year, he has been the crowd favourite in almost every match. They pulled for him as the match against Auger-Aliassime went deep. They roared his nickname - "Nole! Nole!" - whenever he went break point down against Sinner.

The victor was well-supported, as he always is. But it felt as though Djokovic was the one who had the crowd's hearts.

"We've watched this guy for well over two decades, and how many times have we heard the whole entire crowd [chant] 'Nole, Nole'?" Agassi said.

"He's now getting the respect he deserves. I love it. What these guys are doing now is because of all that he has shown is possible."

As he left the court, Djokovic placed his hand over his heart and tapped it once, before waving to all corners.

He knows the clock is running down. He will be 40 at next year's Wimbledon. Ken Rosewall, at 39 years and 234 days, is the oldest man in the Open era to win a Grand Slam singles title.

But Djokovic, for now, wants to carry on.

"I don't have any pressure or no-one is forcing me to play," Djokovic added. "I do it because I really want to and because I still can play as a top-five player.

"Let's see what's the future brings." (BBC)

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