By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Friday, July 4, 2025
Photograph 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 courtroom, Sinner is finding out Djokovic’s model on video.
The highest-seeded Sinner swept Djokovic in final month’s Roland Garros semifinals, handing the Serbian famous person his first main semifinal straight-sets loss in 15 years.
For Sinner, Djokovic is just not solely an opponent, he is a tutor.
Corridor of Famer John McEnroe says Sinner’s groundstrokes, notably his highly effective two-handed backhand, could be based mostly on Djokovic’s immaculate groundstrokes.
“His backhand is likely one of the finest 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 comparable. 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 to be like like he’s six foot 10 due to the wingspan. It’s arduous to get the ball by him.”
Requested concerning the comparisons between his model and Djokovic’s, Sinner stated he is not solely studied the previous world No. 1—he is mentioned approach with Djokovic.
“It is troublesome to say as a result of I nonetheless imagine we’re each totally different gamers, no?” Sinner stated after his Wimbledon second-round win over Aleksandar Vukic. “We do have couple of similarities in a manner of how we perhaps hit the ball on the forehand and backhand.
“I really feel like he has improved loads the serve. Like at the moment he was serving extremely properly.”
The shared similarities are their ball placing, approach 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 comfy and skilled shifting 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 somewhat bit extra. I could also be somewhat bit the sooner hitter. However within the different manner, I am additionally fairly constant, no, like he’s.
The connection does not finish on the courtroom. Sinner just lately break up with Djokovic’s former coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Uli Badio previous to Wimbledon. Sinner stated Djokovic has shared recommendation as properly.
“There are some similarities,” Sinner stated. “However yeah, I imagine that he gave me a variety of informations that I could make my recreation just like his, however in my model.”
If it appears like a stretch for Djokovic to share perception along 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 “at all times obtainable” when gamers ask for perception—even when it is considered one of his prime rivals.
“After all, I am very comfortable to at all times share with anyone, as I used to be doing with a variety of the opposite male tennis gamers principally,” Djokovic stated. “Yeah, clearly what we speak about stays between us. I hope that it could possibly serve them as an excellent, I assume, 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 totally different. It impacts them in another way.
“After all, I am honored to be within the place the place the No. 1 on the planet involves me, approaches me, and asks me some questions and advices and steerage. That is, in fact, a really privileged place to be in. At all times attempt to be obtainable.”
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 periods so she might observe—and emulate—the King of Clay’s work ethic.
Sinner, who has additionally studied ace grasp John Isner’s approach as he retools his personal serve, stated he’ll proceed to check and be taught from Djokovic.
“Yeah, so I at all times attempt to see from sure gamers what I can take and attempting to see if it really works properly,” Sinner stated. “Yeah, he’s undoubtedly the primary individual I look as much as, attempting to do couple of issues like him.”
If seeds maintain true to kind, Sinner and Djokovic might share the courtroom once more within the Wimbledon semifinals.
