The clearest sign Father Time is closing in on Djokovic?

Instead, helium indispensable present reset and recharge to spell again astatine Wimbledon adjacent month.

Given helium is simply a seven-time champion connected a writer aboveground which younger players person struggled to master, Djokovic volition ever fancy his chances astatine the All England Club.

Djokovic tin ne'er beryllium ruled retired of becoming the oldest large men's singles champion of each time, but Father Time has been sat waiting connected Djokovic's enarthrosis for a bully while.

By rights, helium should astir apt beryllium basking successful a post-retirement glow by now.

Coaching a young compatriot distant from the nationalist glare similar Andy Murray, perhaps. Doing a promotional circuit for a new Netflix documentary similar Rafael Nadal, maybe.

While his long-time rivals determination into the adjacent signifier of their lives, Djokovic was retching astatine the broadside of a tribunal successful an effort to summon the vigor to bushed a teenager.

It is simply a testament to his superpower that helium inactive wants to propulsion himself to specified limits against overmuch younger opponents.

As we person seen clip and clip again, Djokovic's insatiable appetite for the sport's biggest prizes volition ne'er diminish.

But, having reached astatine slightest the semi-finals astatine the past 5 Grand Slams, this was the clearest motion yet that the ageing process was yet catching up with him.

Djokovic looked successful implicit power arsenic helium moved 2 sets ahead, but could not support his level arsenic Fonseca proved helium is the existent deal.

"It would beryllium bully if it was best-of-three," Djokovic smiled.

"I conscionable ran retired of gas, to beryllium honest. I didn't consciousness bully astatine each connected the tribunal successful the adjacent mates of sets."

Djokovic has ever thrived successful the best-of-five format of the majors, beating astir anybody who has stood successful his mode for astir 2 years.

The lone exceptions person been Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and the genu wounded which forced him to discontinue against Alexander Zverev astatine past year's Australian Open.

Everyone other has not been bully enough, oregon not had the mentality, to spot seasoned Djokovic off.