By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Friday, July 4, 2025
Picture credit score: Richard Pelham/Getty
Wimbledon—Jannik Sinner has squared off in opposition to Novak Djokovic 9 occasions.
Even when the world No. 1 is not dealing with the Grand Slam king on court docket, Sinner is finding out Djokovic’s type on video.
The highest-seeded Sinner swept Djokovic in final month’s Roland Garros semifinals, handing the Serbian celebrity his first main semifinal straight-sets loss in 15 years.
For Sinner, Djokovic just isn’t solely an opponent, he is a tutor.
Corridor of Famer John McEnroe says Sinner’s groundstrokes, significantly his highly effective two-handed backhand, could be based mostly on Djokovic’s immaculate groundstrokes.
“His backhand is likely one of the greatest photographs,” John McEnroe stated on BBC earlier this week. “To me, he clearly studied Novak’s backhand as a result of this can be very related. After which he has the wingspan..
“I believe in Sinner’s case, he’s a man who’s six foot three or 4 who virtually appears like he’s six foot 10 due to the wingspan. It’s laborious to get the ball by him.”
Requested in regards to the comparisons between his type and Djokovic’s, Sinner stated he is not solely studied the previous world No. 1—he is mentioned method with Djokovic.
“It is tough to say as a result of I nonetheless consider we’re each completely different gamers, no?” Sinner stated after his Wimbledon second-round win over Aleksandar Vukic. “We do have couple of similarities in a approach of how we perhaps hit the ball on the forehand and backhand.
“I really feel like he has improved so much the serve. Like at present he was serving extremely nicely.”
The shared similarities are their ball placing, method on groundstrokes and the actual fact each males are distinctive on the stretch. Sinner stated the first variations are Djokovic possesses extra selection and is extra snug and skilled transferring on grass, whereas the three-time Grand Slam champion is a little more highly effective.
“However that is additionally the expertise he has greater than I’ve,” Sinner stated of Djokovic. “He combine up the sport just a little bit extra. I could also be just a little bit the sooner hitter. However within the different approach, I am additionally fairly constant, no, like he’s.
The connection would not finish on the court docket. Sinner not too long ago cut up with Djokovic’s former coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Uli Badio previous to Wimbledon. Sinner stated Djokovic has shared recommendation as nicely.
“There are some similarities,” Sinner stated. “However yeah, I consider that he gave me lots of informations that I could make my sport much like his, however in my type.”
If it seems like a stretch for Djokovic to share perception together with his rivals, it is actually not.
Earlier than Wimbledon started world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka requested the Olympic gold medal champion for recommendation. Whereas Djokovic declined to debate precisely what they spoke about, he stated he is “all the time out there” when gamers ask for perception—even when it is one in all his prime rivals.
“After all, I am very comfortable to all the time share with anyone, as I used to be doing with lots of the opposite male tennis gamers largely,” Djokovic stated. “Yeah, clearly what we speak about stays between us. I hope that it might serve them as an incredible, I suppose, even when it is simply an encouragement, even when it is one thing that they heard earlier than, however listening to it from me perhaps sounds completely different. It impacts them in another way.
“After all, I am honored to be within the place the place the No. 1 on this planet involves me, approaches me, and asks me some questions and advices and steering. That is, in fact, a really privileged place to be in. At all times attempt to be out there.”
Tapping into the minds and work routines of prime champions is a method coach Darren Cahill has helped educated his gamers.
Previous to teaching Sinner, Cahill guided Simona Halep to the world No. 1 rating and infrequently took the Romanian to Rafael Nadal’s follow classes so she may observe—and emulate—the King of Clay’s work ethic.
Sinner, who has additionally studied ace grasp John Isner’s method as he retools his personal serve, stated he’ll proceed to check and study from Djokovic.
“Yeah, so I all the time attempt to see from sure gamers what I can take and attempting to see if it really works nicely,” Sinner stated. “Yeah, he’s undoubtedly the principle individual I look as much as, attempting to do couple of issues like him.”
If seeds maintain true to kind, Sinner and Djokovic may share the court docket once more within the Wimbledon semifinals.
