LONDON — Novak Djokovic began expressing a heartfelt thought about returning to the semifinals at the All England Club — “It means the world to me,” he was saying, “that I’m still able, at 38, to play (in the) final stages of Wimbledon” — when the Centre Court crowd interrupted with yelling and applause.

Djokovic is looking for a record-tying eighth Wimbledon title, but Sinner has beaten him in their last four meetings, including in French Open semifinal.