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Jannik Sinner Claims He is ‘Different Player and Person’ Ahead of Blockbuster Wimbledon Clash with Novak Djokovic

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Gouri Das | Last updated Jul 10, 2025 9:19 AM ET

Jannik Sinner feels he is a different player if compared to what he was in the last couple of years. And the changes one can very well see during his matches.

Sinner was the most consistent player on the men’s tour last year, winning eight official titles, which included two Majors and the ATP Finals. He continued his winning ways this year by defending his Australian Open title.

After serving his doping ban, the Italian ace played back-to-back finals on clay, at the Italian Open and the French Open, losing both, to Carlos Alcaraz. He has now made another deep run in a Grand Slam tournament.

On Wednesday (July 9), Sinner registered a 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4 win over 10th seed Ben Shelton to secure a spot in the Wimbledon semifinals for the second time. At the press conference later, Sinner said the reason why he is able to produce great tennis is because he has been continuously working on the improvement of his game.

I feel that before matches I’m more comfortable, let’s say, or confident. But at the same time, I know that I have to keep working and keep putting pressure on myself. Because new players are coming. The new generation is growing. Novak [Djokovic] is here. Obviously Carlos. A lot of players. The work never stops. I think that’s exciting. I believe I’m a different player and person. Hopefully, I can say I’m more mature too.

The only time Sinner dropped a set in this tournament was in the fourth round against 19th seed Grigor Dimitrov, who couldn’t complete the match as he injured his pectoral muscle while hitting an ace. Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam tournament where Sinner has not yet reached the final. Last year at SW19, the 23-year-old was defeated in the quarterfinals by 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev.

Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic suffered injuries before their semifinal clash

To reach his maiden Wimbledon final, Jannik Sinner has to overcome a daunting task in the last four. He is pitted against a player who, before this season, has played every Wimbledon final since 2018.

The player is Novak Djokovic who came from a set down to knock out Flavio Cobolli to progress to his seventh consecutive semifinal in the grass-court Major. But when he was on the verge of winning against Cobolli, he suffered a “nasty fall” and all he hopes now is to be physically fit before his match against Sinner. He said at the press conference:

Right now I’m just trying to focus on my recovery, on getting my body in shape for a very physical battle. I hope to reach the level and be able to potentially go five sets with him. I’ll need my best in these moments to beat Jannik. That’s all I’m thinking about right now, getting myself physically and mentally in the right state to be able to fight him as long as necessary.

Sinner too injured his elbow when he was playing against Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round. But the injury did not stop him from beating Ben Shelton in the last eight.

Both Sinner and Djokovic are chasing their second title of the season. The 38-year-old lifted his 100th singles title at the Geneva Open, while Sinner defended his Australian Open title by beating Alexander Zverev.

Djokovic, who is chasing his first Grand Slam title since winning the 2023 US Open, has now booked a spot in the semifinal of all Majors he has played this season. At the Australian Open, an injury forced him to hand a walkover to Zverev, while at the French Open, it was Sinner who denied him the chance to go for his historic 25th Major.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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