The first time that Novak Djokovic came up and took knowledge of Jannik Sinner’s growing talent was on the grass of the All England Club three years ago. The Italian, then only 20, stormed to a lead of two set in their quarterfinals in midfield. Djokovic, aware of the seriousness of the situation, went to the bathroom under the royal box.
“I had a renewal, a toilet break and a little peptiping with myself in the mirror,” he would say afterwards. “That’s the truth.” Djokovic would claim the victory in five, with a spectacular Backhand-Cross-Court winner who left him flat on his chest, the money shot moment of the game.
Djokovic also defeated Sinner in the semi -final of 2023 in an impressive victory in the straight sets. But this is indisputably another scenario about two years later. And if the two square weeks again after the same match-up, in the same lock, in the same round of the French open is the world’s best player in Sinner who has a frightening record against the Serbian.
The 23-year-old, 15 years younger than Djokovic, has won their last four meetings and the last six sets in a row. The Serbian, the best men’s player ever plays the game, has not defeated Sinner for 30 months. It is a discouraging prospect, while the duo encounters on Friday afternoon in their Blockbuster Last-Four Clash.
Dagging, but not insurmountable.
“I lost in the right sets of Jannik in the semi-final of Roland Garros, I think I played a solid game,” said Djokovic, after his four-set victory to Flavio Cobolli in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
“I could have played better, but he was just the better player when the moments were important. So I get another chance. Hopefully I can deliver the level and I can stay with him for potentially five sets.
“It will cost the best of me at the moment to beat Jannik. I mean, I know.”
The most important difference between this occasion and the Paris gaffeled last month is almost clearly the surface under their feet.
Although Sinner has the upper hand on hard and clay, he has never defeated Djokovic on grass. And we have already seen the world No. 1 on the receiving side of an almighty delay this year, given his two-set deficiency to Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round, before the Bulgarian had to retire anxiously.
Simply put, it makes sinner vulnerable. The nuances of grass-court movement, slipping and sliding at the edges of the court as the tournament progresses, are a delicate art. It is one that Djokovic has mastered his 20-year career, prior to his 14th semi-final of Wimbledon.
Add to the comparison that the Italian takes care of an elbow injury obtained against Dimitrov, and it makes him beat. That said, it is still to look at how Djokovic himself will recover from his late autumn against Cobolli, whereby the Serbian cancel his practice session on Thursday. But if the past of recovery is something to start, Djokovic will be fit and fight.
“Me and Novak, we know each other better because we played quite a lot,” said Sinner, after his quarter -final victory against Ben Shelton. “So we understand what works and what doesn’t.
“But yes, I never won against him in Wimbledon here.”
There is another element that goes back to the three -month drug ban of Sinner earlier this season; A suspension, conveniently timed, so he didn’t miss a major. It is not common for Djokovic to be fully supported by the crowd of the Center Court, but Friday can have a different feeling.
It is likely that the winner will have to deal with Carlos Alcaraz, with the title defender an overwhelming favorite against World No 5 Taylor Fritz from the United States in the first semifinal. The last two finals of the Spaniard here, against Djokovic, have been his compelling things. But given That Final in Roland Garros against Sinner Wimbledon wants a piece of the next big rivalry in Herentennis.
It is intriguing that a repetition of Sinner-Alcaraz would be the first time that the final of the men in Roland Garros and Wimbledon were matched in the same year since Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in 2008.
But for Djokovic, who broke through and improved the records of those two legends, in the coming days represent his best chance of claiming a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam and that it became the oldest singles big winner in history. He admitted pre-tournament that he was not sure if this would be his “last dance” on SW19.
All opportunities seem stacked against him. But it is in these scenarios that Djokovic has thrive time and time again during his legendary career.
Sinner looks at a first Wimbledon and the inevitable pressure that goes with it. Just like most final round races at Grand Slam level, it will come down to fine margins, but unlike Paris, Djokovic might keep the upper hand in this respect, where his well-edited series should be in the face of Sinner’s Bludge-Groundakes on grass.
The variety of Djokovic is his most important weapon. While his wide range of shots was delighted by Sinner five weeks ago, on the checks and the flat lines of the grass, it is a very different proposition.
But the underlying sentiment also remains that it could be Djokovic’s last chance. Can the Serbian – the king of big moments in large competitions – come up with the goods one last time? We should have a cracker.
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