Novak Djokovic says he ‘couldn’t ask for a bigger challenge’ than playing Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-final, but an interesting statistic might make him favourite for the clash.
Djokovic confirmed a 14th Wimbledon semi-final with a four-set victory over Flavio Cobolli on Centre Court.
Sinner’s Wimbledon has been less straightforward as the Italian was saved by a Grigor Dimitrov injury at two sets down in his fourth round match.
Sinner and Djokovic are good friends, but that will go out of the window when both try and confirm their place in the Wimbledon final.
Despite losing his last four matches against Sinner, Djokovic could go into the match as the favourite due to an anomaly in their head-to-head record.
Novak Djokovic has never lost to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon
Djokovic and Sinner have played each other nine times on the ATP Tour, with the Italian leading their head-to-head with five wins.
However, Sinner’s wins against the Serbian have come on clay and hard court and the World No. 1 has never beaten the World No. 6 on grass.
That includes two meetings at Wimbledon, in 2022 and 2023 when Djokovic made the final on both occasions.
Their 2022 match at Wimbledon went the distance with five sets, while the year later it was a far more routine straight sets victory for Djokovic.
The Serbian will no doubt take solace in that statistic despite losing more matches than he’s won against Sinner.
What has Novak Djokovic said about Jannik Sinner ahead of Wimbledon match?
Djokovic has shown plenty of respect to the World No. 1 ahead of their tenth ATP Tour meeting at Wimbledon.
“It’s going to take the best of me at the moment to beat Jannik, I know that,” said Djokovic in his Wimbledon press conference about playing the Italian.
The World No. 6 added: “That’s the only thing I’m thinking about right now, just getting myself physically and mentally in the right state so I can fight with him for as long as it’s necessary.”
Djokovic and Sinner’s semi-final clash will take place on Centre Court on July 11, with the order of play yet to be announced.