Novak Djokovic Admits Facing Youngsters Motivates Him Ahead of Jannik Sinner Clash in Wimbledon Semifinal

Novak Djokovic is the last player other than Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner to win a Grand Slam title. The Serb lifted his 24th Major at the 2023 US Open and since then, the two youngsters shared the last six Grand Slam trophies between them.

In the ongoing Wimbledon Championships, Djokovic scheduled the semifinal clash with Sinner, and a win there could see him play Alcaraz in the final. There’s a decade-plus age gap between Djokovic and the rest of the semifinalists here (and it was the case at the French Open as well). Playing the youngsters has now become a motivation factor for the 38-year-old at this stage of his career.

I’m way older than them. I was also saying on court that…that motivates me to see how much can I keep going with these guys toe-to-toe. I lost in straight sets to Jannik in the semis of Roland Garros. I think I played a solid match.

Novak Djokovic said at the press conference

Djokovic trails 4-5 in the head-to-head matchups against Sinner, who secured the wins in his last four matches against Nole. In the French Open semifinal, Djokovic lost the match in straight sets but Sinner had to fight hard for each point.

Djokovic also met Alcaraz this year- in the quarterfinal of the Australian Open. The result of this did not end in the 22-year-old’s favor as he lost the match in four sets.

For me, this is what counts the most. Being in the last stages of Slams. Playing against the best player in the world right now…him next to Alcaraz are the leaders of men’s tennis today. Couldn’t ask for a bigger challenge for myself. I look forward to it. I’ll do my best to get ready and perform my best there.

Novak Djokovic added

A tough challenge too awaits Alcaraz in the semifinal. He will be locking horns with an in-form Taylor Fritz, who lifted two grass-court titles before playing at Wimbledon.

Novak Djokovic believes he has the chance to beat both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic suffered a “nasty fall” in the final set during his quarterfinal match against Flavio Cobolli. All he now hopes is to be physically fit during the semifinal against Jannik Sinner.