Wimbledon: Novak Djokovic out to defy Father Time in Jannik Sinner semi-final – ‘You couldn’t ask for a bigger challenge’ | Tennis News

Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner: veteran very decorated against the fresh world n ° 1. and it takes place on Center short in the semi-finals of Wimbledon on Friday.

Tennis has experienced many dominant forces of the last two decades in the male game to make their emotional outings in recent years – Roger Federer in 2022, as well as Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal last year – and, at the same time, the wheels were firmly in motion on a “ changing of guard ” at the next generation of great.

Carlos Alcaraz won five Grand Chelem since the match said goodbye to Federer, already a fifth of the Great’s career transport-and the 22-year-old has the chance to eat further this weekend during the hunt for a third title in Wimbledon, starting with his semi-final against the fifth head of Taylor Fritz.

The sinner also bagged three major titles in the last month only, to assault the world n ° 1, but there is an old veteran grizzly era which continues to cling to relevance among these young contenders, and it turns out that it is a champion of the Grand Slam at 24 times in search of a 25th record.

Djokovic: Wimbledon “My Best Luck”

The 38 -year -old Djokovic – the only unable Alcaraz or Sinner player to win one of the last 12 majors – said it himself during the decrease in an incredible semi -final of Wimbledon and 52nd in Slams after defeating Flavio Cobolli, 23, in the quarterfinals.

“It means the world for me that at 38 years old, I am still able to play the latest stages of Wimbledon,” said Djokovic. “I suppose that another thing that makes me feel young is to compete with young people like Cobolli today. I like to run and slide on the ground with him.

“Speaking of young people, I have a sinner in the next round, so I look forward to it.”

And Djokovic will really look forward to this, with their two previous meetings in Wimbledon – including the only previous semi -final to at the Championships in 2023 – traveling the Serbian.

That said, we live in a world very different from the one we occupied two summer ago, while Djokovic was a lively 36 years old and won the Australian Open and the French to see a Slam calendar, and with a 21 -year -old sinner at the time ignoring for the pressures of the last four of a major.

This is not the case now. Sinner won three of the six large slams held since the beginning of 2024, losing in the final of another – an open climax of the epic French open in which Alcaraz saved three championship points by overthrowing a deficit in two sets.

Sinner also dominated his recent meetings with Djokovic, winning their last four, including in straight sets in the Roland-Garros semi-finals, now to lead their 5-4 tête-à-tête.

Change your guard? Most likely.

Djokovic knows that his opportunities are limited to break his link for the main titles with Margaret runs and sets the record alone at 25. He will soon follow Federer, who was present for his fourth round and sinner matches, in the royal box, as opposed to playing on Center Court.

But he still believes that Wimbledon, where he reached the last six male finals held, winning four, represents his best opportunity to note No 25.

“I don’t think I’m a favorite against these guys [Alcaraz, Sinner] For the moment, “Djokovic has admitted in advance on his quarter -final against Cobolli.” I think they are [the favourites]. Both.

“But I probably have my best chance against them here. If it comes back to one or both, which I hope that it would, as it would mean that I went to the final, so I will obviously look for my best game to win.

“I think I have a chance. There is no doubt about it. I think my results on the grass, even in previous years, testify to my confidence on this surface.”

Can the sinner overcome the elbow problem to reach the final?

Helping further from Djokovic is the fact that Sinner treats a complaint a little in the elbow – although the one who did not seem to disturb him too much by storming Ben Shelton in straight sets in the neighborhoods.

The Italian had injured his right elbow after slipping during the opening match of his fourth round match with Grigor Dimitrov, and had followed two sets to love at 2-2 in the third when his 34-year-old opponent himself had to withdraw with a pectoral injury.

It is a sinner who, although World No. 1, wore a protective neck on the embarrassing elbow against Shelton and who has not really played a lot this year, due to the three -month doping ban between the Australian Open and the French Open.

He is always as hungry as ever. “By trying to put me in these positions, the semi-finals of Grand Slam, these are incredible opportunities, of great chance,” said Sinner in front of his Djokovic confrontation.

“I am happy to have put me here in this position and to see what I can do. I have not won [at Wimbledon]So I want it even more.

“I always believe that you have an opponent at the same time. I hope I can show good tennis in the next round. Otherwise, it is obviously impossible that I win this match.”

Djokovic also knows that he has a battle on his hands. “It will take the best of me right now to beat Jannik, I know it,” said the seven time winner of Wimbledon. “You couldn’t ask for a bigger challenge.

“I lost straight sets against Jannik in the semi-final of Roland Garros. I think I played a solid match, but he was just a better player when the moments were important.

“I have another opportunity. For me, that’s what matters most.

“It is and it has always been my biggest objective to do well in the Slams. I am still another good position, playing against the best player in the world at the moment.

“He next to Alcaraz is the dominant strength, the leaders of male tennis today.”

In other words, unless Djokovic can hang on to the crown a little longer and continue to challenge the father with at least one more memorable victory on his stage of the central court on Friday.

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