The Italian was left counting the cost of his inability to convert a host of break-point opportunities in his roller-coaster 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 loss to the indefatigable, seemingly ageless Serb on Friday.
But while the deflating sense of a golden opportunity missed was written across his face, the 24-year-old was quick to try to take something positive from his first defeat at the Melbourne slam after 19 straight singles wins there.
"Had many chances, couldn't use them, and that's the outcome. Yeah, it hurts, for sure," shrugged the two-time champion.
"There is not one moment where I thought it was getting away from me, to be honest. I had my chances. It was in the fifth set, many break points, couldn't use them."
Yet while he could only convert two of his 18 break point opportunities throughout the four-hour, nine-minute slog, Sinner was also gracious in applauding the performance of his astonishing 38-year-old opponent as he was reminded that Djokovic is "the greatest player for many, many years."
"I always said, 'never be surprised' (about Djokovic). He came up with some great shots ... also, great serving, you have to give him also a lot of credit how he played today.
"He played great tennis. Hopefully, I can take it also kind of as a lesson maybe to see what I can improve on."
It was a very different affair to many of the pair's recent encounters, especially at Roland Garros and Wimbledon last year when Djokovic won in straight sets.
But after five straight defeats to Sinner, and having lost a 10th consecutive set against the Italian at the start of the match, Djokovic hit back after losing the first stanza, playing at a constantly staggering level against a phenomenal player who seemingly had all the firepower to dismantle him again.
Yet while Djokovic gambled on a more aggressive approach and his unmatched never-say-die attitude served him once again like some indestructible shield, Sinner himself could take heart from his own resilience, especially when he saved one match point in the denouement in thrilling fashion.
But, naturally, he was unsurprised by the enduring excellence of a man 14 years his senior. "He's won 24 grand slams," shrugged Sinner simply.
If he had managed to defeat Djokovic, Sinner would have been the first player ever to do so six times in a row.
For the moment, though, it's back to the drawing board with his Australian super coach Darren Cahill to work out again exactly what he needs to do to actually bring down this unstoppable GOAT.
