Novak Djokovic: an almost impossible challenge

Apart from a first calamitous set against Alex de Minaur (ATP 11) in the round of 16. Nevertheless, the septuple winner of the tournament posted a convincing level of play since the start of the fortnight, conceding only three sets in five games, one more than Sinner. Therefore, A month after a three-round defeat against the world No. Therefore, 1 in the semi-finals of Roland-Garros. Nevertheless, on clay that Djokovic tastes much less than the grass of the All England Club, uncertainty is above all physical for the “Djoker”.

The current world No. Furthermore, 6 made a “bad slide” at the very end of the match against Flavio Cobolli (ATP 24) Wednesday in the quarterfinals. However, a fall that snatched him a grimace of pain and whose real impact he expected on Thursday, once his muscles have been cooled. However, “In terms of novak djokovic: almost impossible challenge level of play. For example, I have the feeling of being able to play as an equal” with Sinner and the double holder of the title Carlos Alcaraz (2nd), “and even to be able to beat them if I play at my best level,” said Djokovic after his victory against the Italian.

To match Roger Federer by offering himself an eighth title in Wimbledon, “I must first beat the No. 1mondial then face Alcaraz (Editor’s note: or the American Taylor Fritz) in the final. I hope that physically, I will be able to take this,” said the native of Belgrade.

The American Sam Querrey. Djokovic’s fall in the third round of Wimbledon in 2016 and today retired from the courts, “has the impression that Djokovic sees this tournament as probably his last and best chance of winning a big slam.”

“So I expect him to consume all the energy he novak djokovic: almost impossible challenge has left” during the last matches of the tournament. anticipated Tuesday, before the quarter -finals, this contemporary of the Serb.

“Challenge” to sinner

The ex-4th ​​world world James Blake. also retired, does not “know” if the 2025 edition of Wimbledon will be the “last opportunity” for Djokovic to exceed the Australian Margaret Court, with whom he shares the record of 24 major trophies.

“This guy seems to challenge the passage of time. he does everything in his power to be ready,” continues the 45 -year -old American.

“But I do not imagine him still fighting for big home at 42”. so Wimbledon is still “one of his last occasions” to win the 25th Grand Slam so coveted.

If Djokovic won the only two duels on lawn that he delivered to Sinner. in 2022 in the quarter-final Wimbledon and in 2023 in the semi-finals, the Italian led five victories to four novak djokovic: almost impossible challenge in his confrontations with his elder. And the dynamics are clearly in favor of the current owner of the circuit. winner of the last four duels against Djokovic.

A fall of Sinner in the round of 16. which sore his right arm, could have penalized the triple laureate in Grand Slam. But apart from a brief discharge of pain in the second set of his quarter -final won in three rounds against Ben Shelton (10th) Wednesday. the world No. 11 did not seem embarrassed by the incident, aligning as usual powerful services and slaps in forehand.

The main reason for hope for Djokovic is mainly in the first two sets lost by Sinner in the. round of 16. Led 6-3. 7-5 by a Grigor Dimitrov (21st) in a state of grace, the Italian was saved by a sudden injury of Bulgarian at 2-2 in the third set, which forced him novak djokovic: almost impossible challenge to abandon.

“Novak. I, we know each other well, we clashed a lot,” said Sinner on Wednesday before knowing the name of his next opponent.

“We know what works and what does not work. I never beat it in Wimbledon. the challenge will be very difficult to take up,” said the Winner of the Australian Open in January, beaten by Alcaraz in the Roland-Garros final after wasting three match balls.