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Agence France-Presse

Jannik Sinner hailed Novak Djokovic as a “true inspiration” as the defending Wimbledon champion revealed he had to raise his game to end his rival’s title bid on Friday.
Sinner produced one of his best performances this year to rout Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in a one-sided Centre Court semi-final.
The world number one will face Alexander Zverev in the final on Sunday after the French Open champion beat British wildcard Arthur Fery in straight sets.
Sinner’s dynamic display avenged his Australian Open last-four loss to Djokovic in January.
Djokovic once again fell short in his quest to make history with a record 25th grand slam singles title, which would move him one ahead of Margaret Court.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion might be in the twilight of his career at 39, but he showed in his five-hour victory over third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime - the longest quarter-final in Wimbledon history - that he can still compete with much younger players.

Full of admiration for Djokovic’s longevity, Sinner said: “Even when I had this small winning streak [against Djokovic] from last year, you always feel pressure before playing against Novak.
“This is why I practise. I like challenges. Playing against Novak in grand slams, they are very different from playing in Masters events.
“It’s so amazing to see him still producing this kind of level. The match he played with Felix, I was watching. The level was so high.
“It’s a true inspiration for all of us and also the younger generation, how much a good mindset can do to your body and mind as well.”
Brushing away talk of retirement, Djokovic said after losing to Sinner that he planned to return to Wimbledon at least one more time.
Sinner would welcome Djokovic extending his remarkable career, but for now he hopes his latest victory over the Serb will propel him to a fifth major title.
“Seeing him around and having the honour to play against him, feeling the pressure against him, these matches, they hopefully can help me [now] and also in the future,” he said.
“I think mentally I knew that I needed to level up. It helped me, for sure.
“Against Novak, if you want to play even, you need to play your best tennis.”
Sinner has won his last nine meetings with Zverev, including the 2025 Australian Open final.
But the German has been in superb form over the past two months, finally winning his first grand slam title at Roland Garros before sweeping into his maiden Wimbledon final.
The 29-year-old has ditched his tag as the sport’s nearly man and Sinner is well aware of the threat he poses to his title defence.
“Whatever happened in the past between me and him, it happened,” Sinner said. In between, he won a grand slam in Paris, which gave him a lot of confidence. We can see the level he’s producing here.
“He tried for so long, and then when you finally achieve it, it’s amazing and gives you this confidence boost. We see it again here. It shows that he is playing incredible tennis.
“I’m happy to face him. I try to do the best I can, and then we see how it goes. But it’s going to be very tough, very different from all the other matches we have played.”


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Sport

Tennis

Italian aiming to retain crown on Sunday following semi-final dismantling of seven-time champion


Italian aiming to retain crown on Sunday following semi-final dismantling of seven-time champion.


Novak Djokovic

Jannik Sinner

Alexander Zverev

Wimbledon: Jannik Sinner inspired by beaten Novak Djokovic, ready for ‘tough’ Zverev test

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Italian aiming to retain crown on Sunday following semi-final dismantling of seven-time champion

Italian aiming to retain crown on Sunday following semi-final dismantling of seven-time champion