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described finalists and as the two best players in tennis at the moment, but shut down one suggestion about the Italian world No. 1. at the semi-final stage and .

The 24-time major winner went down 6-4 7-5 7-3(3) to Sinner and he was proud of his efforts in Paris, having entered the tournament with abysmal form aside from his tournament win in Geneva. But Djokovic was ready to praise his conqueror in a post-match press conference, though played down any idea that Sinner is a younger version of himself.

When told that Sinner was perhaps playing how Djokovic used to in his formative years, the Serbian star replied: "I don't know. Maybe; maybe not. I'm not sure. We are all different.

"When I was at my best, I was also playing quite fast, you know, all the time. But he's a different player, and I don't want to compare our games. I think he's unique in his own way.

"With Jannik, no time. So you have to be constantly at your best. I think I was playing on a pretty good level, honestly. Some moments on a really high level, but he did too. He was just a level better than I was tonight."

Djokovic felt as if he gave Sinner "a run for his money" and did push the reigning and champion hard in what was not a comfortable straight-set victory.

But the 38-year-old conceded that he was second best on the night at Court Philippe-Chatrier, adding: "The third [set], I thought I played probably the best tennis of the entire match. I think I was closer to winning that set. Just in important moments he came up with the right play and right mentality, and you have to congratulate him. That's it. He was definitely a better player tonight.

"Was a straight-set loss, but I feel like I did give him a run for his money, so to say. I tried to make him work till the last shot. I didn't want to give up particularly on such a big stage in semis of a Grand Slam.

"Yeah, I did what I could. This is sport. You have to just shake the hand of the better player and move on."

Djokovic even admitted that he was proud not to be humiliated 6-0 or 6-1 in a set to a player he clearly has a lot of respect for.

"I think it's good not to get a bagel or breadstick from Sinner here tonight," Djokovic continued with a smile on his face. "He's been giving those quite a bit this tournament.

"But, look, in terms of the level of tennis, I think it was three tight sets. Second and particularly third could have gone my way, yes, one or two points, one or two shots, but he was a deserved winner.

"I felt constantly under pressure, and he didn't allow me to kind of like have time to swing through the ball. He was just constantly on the line, trying to make me defend.

"So that's why he's the No. 1 in the world. I wish him [the] best for the finals. I think it's going to be an amazing matchup with him and Carlos, two best players, for sure, at the moment."