Djokovic and Sinner prepare for Wimbledon semi-fin...

By Rohan Gupta — 10 July 2026 — 3 min read

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner are set to meet in the Wimbledon semi-finals on Friday, a rematch of their encounter at the same stage last year. This upcoming match carries significant weight as Djokovic pursues a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.

Last year, Sinner emerged victorious in straight sets despite an elbow injury, while Djokovic was reportedly struggling after a fall in his previous round. This time, Sinner is said to be injury-free and has not dropped a set since his opening match.

Djokovic’s physical challenge

Djokovic, at 39, recently spent five hours and 15 minutes on court in his quarter-final match against Felix Auger-Aliassime. He required a medical timeout during that match for what appeared to be a left calf issue, battling until late in the evening to secure the win.

The physical demands on Djokovic’s body are a key talking point. He has reached the semi-finals or better in six of his last seven Grand Slams, a notable achievement for his age. However, his body has shown signs of wear towards the end of these tournaments.

Former British number one Tim Henman noted that grass is the least physically demanding surface, but best-of-five-set matches will still take a toll. Managing energy levels is particularly important for a player of Djokovic’s age.

Despite the physical challenges, Djokovic’s movement and shot-making against Auger-Aliassime, even in the fifth set, were described as astonishing. He has a history of remarkable durability, including a memorable performance at the 2012 Australian Open where he played two lengthy matches back-to-back.

Djokovic’s path to the semi-finals this year included a walkover and a mid-match retirement. He has won only one of his five Wimbledon matches in straight sets leading up to Friday’s encounter.

Sinner’s form and preparation

Sinner, the world number one and defending champion, has shown strong form, not dropping a set since his opening match against Miomir Kecmanovic. He has served exceptionally well throughout the tournament, hitting 97 aces to 16 double faults in his five matches.

Against Jan-Lennard Struff in the quarter-finals, Sinner won 84% of his first-serve points. A change in his serving technique, involving a shortened ball toss and more time with his motion, is credited with contributing to his improved serve.

Sinner also managed the heat effectively during his match against Struff, a contrast to his struggles in warm, humid conditions at the French Open last month. He has appeared more relaxed as the tournament has progressed.

The Italian acknowledged that every match against Djokovic is different, with each having its own unique story, especially on grass where a poor serving day can be very challenging. Sinner leads their head-to-head record 6-5.

Their last meeting was in the Australian Open semi-finals, where Djokovic defeated Sinner in five sets after four hours of play. Djokovic saved 16 of 18 break points in that match against Sinner.

Both players will have benefited from two days of rest following their quarter-final matches on Wednesday, preparing for their upcoming semi-final clash.