World number one Jannik Sinner has assured fans he’ll be “100%” ready for Friday’s Wimbledon semi-final clash against Novak Djokovic, despite an elbow injury he picked up earlier this week.
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The 23-year-old Italian slipped during the opening game of his fourth-round match against Grigor Dimitrov on Monday and needed a medical time-out for treatment. Although Sinner found himself two sets down, he advanced after Dimitrov was forced to retire due to injury.
On Tuesday, Sinner kept things light with a brief 20-minute session with his coaches and sported both strapping and a protective sleeve on his racquet arm during Wednesday’s quarter-final win over Ben Shelton.
The only visible discomfort came when he grimaced and shook out his arm after returning one of Shelton’s powerful serves in the second set.
The pain is getting better, I played today with some painkillers which helped me to get through. Returning fast serves is not easy. But yes, it’s not something crazy serious because if not I would be much more concerned. Time will always help and [Thursday] is one day off, which is going to be good for me, and Friday I’m going to be 100%.
Sinner told BBC Sport.
Novak Djokovic, who is aiming to claim a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title, was beaten by Jannik Sinner in the French Open semi-finals just five weeks ago. The pair have faced off twice before at Wimbledon — in the 2022 quarter-finals and the 2023 semi-finals — with Djokovic coming out on top both times. However, Sinner, a three-time Grand Slam champion, has won their last four encounters overall.
Me and Novak, we know each other better because we have played quite a lot, I’ve never won against him here in Wimbledon so it’s going to be a very, very tough challenge.
Sinner said
Sinner also revealed that he wore new shoes during his match with Ben Shelton in hopes of avoiding another slip on court.
I played with completely new shoes to have more grip, I haven’t even played practice [in them]. It was completely new, which usually on other surfaces I don’t do. On grass the main priority is to have lots of grip so I have to get used to it.
he added
Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic booked his place in the semi-finals with a four-set win over Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, but not without a worrying moment of his own. While leading 5-4 in the fourth set and serving for the match, Djokovic slipped and landed awkwardly while chasing a shot.
The fall drew concern from the crowd, and Djokovic looked briefly uncomfortable as he got back on his feet, but he quickly recovered to win the next two points and seal the win.
There is a concern, but we’ll see in the next 24 to 48 hours. It was an awkward, nasty fall, I’m going to address it with my team and hope that severity is not too bad.
Djokovic told BBC Sports
Novak Djokovic has set a new record for the most Wimbledon men’s singles semi-final appearances, reaching the last four for the 14th time—surpassing eight-time champion Roger Federer. This marks Djokovic’s 52nd Grand Slam semi-final overall, further extending his all-time men’s record. Despite his remarkable achievements, Djokovic knows he’ll have to be at his peak to overcome Jannik Sinner.
I am just trying to focus on my recovery right now and getting my body in shape for very physical battle, Hopefully I can deliver the level and be able to stay with him because it’s going to take the best of me at the moment to beat Jannik. 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.
he said when discussing his match preparations.
Source: BBC