World No.1 Sinner again showed how time has moved on as he dynamited the 39-year-old Djokovic's latest attempt to win a record 25th grand slam in clinical manner, wrapping up a 6-4 6-4 6-4 win on Centre Court in the evening sunshine on Friday.
As he took his farewell from the court, it was hard to escape the feeling that the hammering had been so comprehensive that it might just be Djokovic's last appearance on the court where he won seven titles.
But asked afterwards whether he'd be back next year to try once more, he said: "I would like to, at least one more time. Let's see."
Unlike their remarkable Australian Open semi-final which Djokovic won in his first triumph over the Italian in their last six matches, this time he couldn't lay a glove on Sinner, earning just one break point, which he failed to capitalise on, while the champion cracked 40 winners and 16 aces to ease to victory in two hours 20 minutes.
"I was just half a step late basically in any shot, it's very simple as that. He was just a level or more better than I was. I was just not sharp enough, not reactive enough, not balanced enough to play him. That's it. There's not much I could do on the court," sighed Djokovic.
But Sinner looked in pristine form as he set up a final with No2 seed Alexander Zverev, the newly-minted French Open champion, who was equally ruthless as he ended the wildcard fairytale of British world No.114 Arthur Fery, piling into his first Wimbledon final with a 7-6 (7-0) 6-2 6-4 piece of party pooping.
Meanwhile, top seed Sinner has just raised his level round by round after a tricky five-set start to his title defence against Miomir Kecmanovic and he was on song from the start to never let Djokovic get a start.
Djokovic had spent 16-and-a-half hours on court to get to his 15th Wimbledon semi-final, including the longest match of the tournament against Felix Auger-Aliassime on Tuesday, and it looked as if it had taken too much out of him.
"Last year for the semi-final, I'd got injured in the quarters so didn't expect much. But here I was feeling physically fine, but he was the much better player, a dominant force and you just have to hand it to him," said Djokovic.
"I don't agree," snapped the Serbian at one point when a reporter suggested he hadn't been competitive last year.
"I'm always competitive. Of course, I'm disappointed and wanted to win, and that's why I'm still pushing myself so hard, but I just lost to a better player. I'm not upset with myself, I haven't done too much wrong.
"Last year I reached four semi-finals. This year, out of three slams, I reached one final and one semi-final. I guess for 99% of the players, that would be a very good grand slam result.
"But for me it's good, but not good enough, because I'm blessed and cursed to be used to something of the highest degree in terms of results and achievements."
Sinner congratulated his old foe after his three breaks of serve - one in each set - proved comfortable enough with Djokovic unable to put any pressure on what is looking the most effective serve in the tournament.
"Playing against Novak," Sinner said, "what he's still showing is true inspiration."
The final word was left with the amazing 39-year-old. "No-one is forcing me to play - I'm doing it because I want to," said Djokovic. "Let's see what the future brings."
