Mumbai: A few days ago, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner took to Wimbledon’s Court 1 for a practice session, where they shared some laughs while hitting the ball. Laura Robson, a former British player now working as a presenter, asked Djokovic if he had any advice for Sinner regarding the walk from the clubhouse to Centre Court, especially as the defending champion prepares for his match on Monday.
Event Context
“So, tell me, Novak,” Sinner chuckled.
Djokovic is well aware of the situation. After battling shoulder problems that limited him to just three tournaments following his appearance in the Australian Open final, his main focus has shifted to being in peak condition for Wimbledon. Djokovic has a notable history at this prestigious tournament, having reached four consecutive finals from 2021 to 2024 and securing victory in two of them, until Sinner put an end to his streak in last year’s semifinals.
“I intended to peak at Wimbledon,” Djokovic remarked while in London.
“Grass is my favorite surface. My track record here gives me a significant boost of confidence as I prepare for the tournament.”
Sinner could certainly benefit from a confidence boost, too. The 24-year-old world No.1 found himself cramping during the second round of a Grand Slam and ultimately collapsing, a sight not easily forgotten.
His five-set loss to Juan Manuel Cerundolo prompted him to conduct several physical evaluations, all of which, as he shared in London, returned positive results. Unlike previous seasons, the Italian opted to skip any preparatory events on grass. Instead, he made a point to arrive at Wimbledon ahead of schedule to practice during the hottest part of the day amidst a heatwave in London.
While the weather may change as the tournament begins, Sinner is hopeful that the time spent sweating on the practice courts—though it can never perfectly mimic actual match conditions—will assist him in overcoming a concerning trend.
Player Focus
One athlete is the reigning champion and currently holds the world No. 1 ranking, yet is still on the hunt for his first major title of the season. The other, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, is a determined 39-year-old aiming for a remarkable 25th Grand Slam trophy. Both players arrive in London with memories of disappointing early exits from Paris. They are both eager to seize this opportunity for redemption, particularly with their common competitor, Carlos Alcaraz, still sidelined due to injury.
Match Outlook
“To be honest, I don’t think he needs my advice. He’s performing really well,” Djokovic remarked, humorously noting his role as a supportive practice partner for the day. “…But I do want to remind him to savor the experience.”
