Novak Djokovic sparks Wimbledon panic over Jannik Sinner showdown after 'nasty fall'; injury verdict delayed
Djokovic recovered quickly to get back on his feet before sealing a 6-7(6) 6-2 7-5 6-4 win against the Italian, but his worrying comment in the post-match interaction is what sparked fear. The Serb said he is waiting to see how his body responds before he takes a call on his semifinal match against world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
After laughing it off in on-court chat, Djokovic said: "In terms of the fall, it was a nasty fall. It was very awkward. That happens on the grass. I've had quite a few of those throughout my grass court career.
"Obviously, body is not the same today like it was before, so I guess the real impact or effect of what happened I will feel tomorrow. So let's see.
"I'm hoping the next 24, 48 hours that the severity of what was happening on the court and what happened is not too bad, that I'll be able to play at my best and free of pain in two days."
Djokovic will need to be physically at his best if he wants to beat Sinner on Friday on the Centre Court, with the 38-year-old standing just two wins away from equalling Roger Federer's all-time record of eight Wimbledon titles and an unprecedented 25th career major. That title win would also make him the oldest-ever Grand Slam winner in the Open Era. Djokovic had lost to Sinner in straight sets in the French Open last month.
Earlier this week, Djokovic admitted that he has the best chance to end Carlos Alcaraz-Sinner's dominance and win his first Slam since the US Open 2023 at Wimbledon.
"Of course, it is motivation. It's a given," he said of potentially winning a quarter-century of Grand Slam trophies.
"In a sense, for me to feel the significance of the moment, we don't even need to talk about it. Of course, I am aware of getting myself in a position to play semis against the best player in the world."
He added: "I have about 10 people in my team daily working on every single aspect of my on-court, off-court career and preparation and recovery. Sometimes I get tired of all the chores that I have to do on a daily basis to get my body ready to be able to perform. It's a lot of hours, a lot of hours spent off the court, in the gym, or on the table just trying to work with what I have.
"Look, I'm very satisfied as a 38-year-old to be able to move the way I'm doing, that I'm moving right now and playing, so…
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Tank half empty, heart still full: Novak Djokovic eyes 2026 Wimbledon return
Novak Djokovic said he has no plans to end his Wimbledon journey just yet, despite crashing out of the ongoing major. On Friday, July 11, the 38-year-old fell to Jannik Sinner, who needed just under two hours to win the semi-final 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 on Centre struggled to find rhythm in the first two sets but showed signs of a comeback in the third, going 3-0 up with an early break of serve. However, the momentum shifted again as Sinner broke back twice and never allowed Djokovic to regain 2025 semi-finals Highlights After the match, Djokovic expressed his desire to return to Wimbledon next year. He was aiming to equal Roger Federer's record of eight titles at the All England Club but will now have to wait another year to chase that milestone.'I would be sad, but hopefully it's not my last match on Centre Court. I'm not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today. I'm planning to come back definitely at least one more time,' Djokovic said in the post-match press conference. 'Wear and tear' Djokovic also admitted that age has started to take a toll on him. Having not won a Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open, he acknowledged that the past year and a half hasn't been easy on his body. He conceded that competing against younger players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who are significantly younger and physically sharper, has been particularly challenging.'I don't think it's bad fortune. It's just age. The wear and tear of the body. As much as I'm taking care of it, the reality hits me right now the last year and a half like never before to be honest. It's tough for me to accept that because I feel like when I'm fresh and fit I can still play very good tennis. I've proven that this year,' Djokovic said. 'Playing best of five, particularly this year, has been a real struggle for me physically. The longer the tournament goes, the worse the condition gets. I reached the semis of every slam this year. I have to play Sinner or Alcaraz. These guys are fit, young, sharp. I feel like I'm going into the match with the tank half empty. It's not possible to win the match like that. It is what it is,' Djokovic added. For the first time since 2017, a Wimbledon final will not feature Novak Djokovic. The last time it happened was when Roger Federer claimed his eighth title at SW19, defeating Marin Cilic in straight sets in the final. For those unaware, no male player over the age of 38 has ever won a Grand Slam singles title.- EndsMust Watch
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Swiatek vs Anisimova Live Streaming: All you need to know about Wimbledon final
Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova are set to face off in the Wimbledon 2025 women's singles final on Saturday, July 12. Both players will be aiming for their maiden title at the All England is chasing her first title on grass, while Anisimova will be looking to triumph in her maiden Grand Slam final appearance. The Polish star hasn't won a title since the 2024 French Open, a drought that saw her lose the World No.1 ranking and drop out of the top five in the WTA has largely been dominant throughout the tournament. Apart from her second-round clash against Caty McNally of the United States, she hasn't dropped serve. In the semi-final, she elevated her game, not only defeating Belinda Bencic but also serving up a bagel. Anisimova, meanwhile, will be riding high on confidence after stunning the World No.1 in the semi-finals. She has become the youngest American woman to reach a Wimbledon singles final since Serena Williams in 2004.A finalist at the 2019 French Open as a 17-year-old, Anisimova had slipped outside the top 400 after taking a mental health break in May 2023. Following her win over Sabalenka, she is set to break into the top 10 for the first time, ranked No.7. A win in the final could take her as high as World Swiatek vs Amanda Anisimova - Road to the finalIga Swiatek Semi-final: def. Belinda Bencic (Switzerland) 6-2, 6-0Quarter-final: def. Liudmila Samsonova (Russia) 6-2, 7-5Round of 16: def. Clara Tauson (Denmark) 6-4, 6-1Third Round: def. Danielle Collins (USA) 6-2, 6-3Second Round: def. Caty McNally (USA) 5-7, 6-2, 6-1First Round: def. Polina Kudermetova (Russia) 7-5, 6-1Amanda Anisimova Semi-final: def. Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) 6-4, 4-6, 6-4Quarter-final: def. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Russia) 6-1, 7-6(9)Round of 16: def. Linda Noskova (Czechia) 6-2, 5-7, 6-4Third Round: def. Dalma Glfi (Hungary) 6-3, 5-7, 6-3Second Round: def. Renata Zaraza (Mexico) 6-4, 6-3First Round: def. Yulia Putintseva (Kazakhstan) 6-0, 6-0Iga Swiatek vs Amanda Anisimova head-to-headIga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova are yet to face each other on the WTA to watch Iga Swiatek vs Amanda Anisimova at Wimbledon 2025?Star Sports Network has the broadcasting rights for Wimbledon 2025 where you can watch the women's singles final between Iga Swiatek and Amanda AnisimovaLive Streaming of the match will be available on the Disney+Hotstar to watch Iga Swiatek vs Amanda Anisimova at Wimbledon 2025?The Wimbledon 2025 final between Iga Swiatek and Amanda Anisimova will start at 8:30 PM IST and 4:00 PM local time.- Ends
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Novak Djokovic shellshocked, reaction during final match point vs Jannik Sinner exposes shattered confidence: Watch
Novak Djokovic was handed a massive reality check on Friday, as he lost to Jannik Sinner in their Wimbledon 2025 semi-final showdown, in what turned out to be a rather one-sided affair. The Italian reigned supreme and eased past Djokovic, clinching a 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 win. Sinner will now face Alcaraz in the final, and will eye revenge, after his French Open final defeat vs the Spaniard. Novak Djokovic's reaction during the final match point was alarming.(Twitter) Last month, Sinner let slip three championship points against Alcaraz in the French Open final. On the other hand, age seems to be catching up with Djokovic, who is already 38-years-old and is nearing retirement. Also Read: Djokovic falls as Sinner sets up Alcaraz final Such was Sinner's domination, that he began to toy with the veteran towards the end. For the last match point, Sinner sent Djokovic wide and the Serbian somehow managed to return, and then the Italian simple placed it on opposite side. Djokovic simply stood and didn't react to go to the other side as Sinner claimed his victory in style. Djokovic also needed medical treatment at the end of the second set on his left thigh. He was without his usual trademark movement during the match, and Sinner was totally the opposite, clinical and efficient. Apart from a slow start in the third set, where Djokovic initially led 0-3, Sinner showcased total dominance. Also, Djokovic's participation in the semis was cast in doubt after he fell early in the final game vs Flavio Cobolli, on Wednesday. Then, he cancelled his practice session on Thursday. Meanwhile, Sinner has Lady Luck to thank, especially after he fell in the fourth round to Grigor Dimitrov, but then the Bulgarian suffered an injury which saw him retire after leading two sets. After the match, Djokovic said, 'Honestly, it wasn't really a pleasant feeling on the court. I don't want to talk, in details, about my injury and just whine about not managing to play my best. I want to congratulate Jannik for another great performance. That's it. He's in the finals. He was too strong.'
