I’ll be 100% for semi-final, says Sinner – but will Djokovic after slip?

Wimbledon 2025

Dates: 30 June-13 July Venue: All England Club

World number one Jannik Sinner says he will be “100%” for Friday’s Wimbledon semi-final against Novak Djokovic after injuring his elbow earlier in the week.

The 23-year-old Italian fell during the first game of his fourth-round tie with Grigor Dimitrov on Monday and took a medical time-out to receive treatment.

He was two sets down against Dimitrov but ultimately progressed after his opponent retired through injury.

Sinner only had a light 20-minute hit with his coaches on Tuesday and wore strapping and a protective sleeve on his racquet arm during Wednesday’s quarter-final victory over Shelton.

The only sign of discomfort he showed was when he grimaced and shook out his arm after returning one of Shelton’s huge serves in the second set.

“The pain is getting better,” Sinner told BBC Sport. “I played today with some painkillers which helped me to get through.

“Returning fast serves is not easy. But yes, it’s not something crazy serious because if not I would be much more concerned.

Djokovic, bidding for a standalone record 25th Grand Slam singles title, lost to Sinner in the French Open last four just five weeks ago.

The two have also met twice before at Wimbledon – in the quarter-finals in 2022 and the semi-finals in 2023, with Djokovic winning on both occasions.

However, three-time Grand Slam champion Sinner has won their past four meetings.

“Me and Novak, we know each other better because we have played quite a lot,” Sinner said.

“I’ve never won against him here in Wimbledon so it’s going to be a very, very tough challenge.”

Sinner also said he decided to play in new shoes for his match with Shelton to reduce the chances of slipping again.

“I played with completely new shoes to have more grip,” he added.

“I haven’t even played practice [in them]. It was completely new, which usually on other surfaces I don’t do.

Seven-time champion Djokovic beat Italian Flavio Cobolli in four sets to secure his semi-final spot but also suffered an injury scare himself during the match.

Leading 5-4 in the fourth set and serving for the match, he slipped and fell awkwardly as he attempted to move for a shot.

It prompted concern from the crowd and Djokovic initially appeared in discomfort when he got up, but shook it off to win the next two points and secure victory.

“There is a concern, but we’ll see in the next 24 to 48 hours. It was an awkward, nasty fall,” Djokovic told BBC Sport.

Djokovic has now broken the record for most Wimbledon men’s singles semi-final appearances with 14, moving one clear of eight-time champion Roger Federer.

It is also a 52nd Grand Slam semi-final appearance for Djokovic, extending his all-time record in the men’s game.

But regardless of his impressive record, he knows he will need to be at his very best against Sinner.

“I am just trying to focus on my recovery right now and getting my body in shape for very physical battle,” he said of his preparations for the match.

“Hopefully I can deliver the level and be able to stay with him because it’s going to take the best of me at the moment to beat Jannik.