Fans Slam Wimbledon for Scheduling Novak Djokovic-Jannik Sinner Semifinal in Evening Slot – “Serbian Grandpa Can Have More Time to Rest!”

The tennis world is expecting nothing short of a popcorn match on Friday (July 10). Because after the Alexander Zverev–Arthur Fery Wimbledon semifinal, defending champion Jannik Sinner will face 24-time Grand Slam champion, Novak Djokovic.

Zverev and Fery are first-time Wimbledon semifinalists, but Sinner and Djokovic have reached the stage multiple times. They, in fact, faced each other in the semifinals of last year’s Wimbledon, the result of which ended in Sinner’s favor in straight sets. Later, Sinner took revenge for his French Open heartbreak on his arch-rival Carlos Alcaraz in four sets to win his first title at SW19.

Zverev snapped his seven-match losing streak versus Taylor Fritz with a straight-set win in the quarterfinals. Fery, also Britain’s last hope, eliminated Flavio Cobolli. The win helped Fery improve his head-to-head record against this year’s French Open finalist to 2-0, as the former had also defeated Cobolli in the first round of this year’s Australian Open.

While Zverev will be facing Fery for the first time in his career, Djokovic will meet the World No.1 for the 12th time. The Serb, who defeated the South Tyrol native in this year’s Australian Open semifinal, trails 5-6 in the head-to-head matchups. That win in Melbourne was also Djokovic’s first win after five consecutive defeats to Sinner.

Fans accuse Wimbledon of showing favoritism toward Novak Djokovic

Wimbledon has released the schedule for Friday, putting the Novak Djokovic–Jannik Sinner match in the evening slot to the surprise of many. They believe the reason behind the scheduling of the semifinals is to give Djokovic more time to recover.

Before setting up the blockbuster clash with Sinner, Nole won the longest quarterfinal match in Wimbledon history. Up against Felix Auger-Aliassime, he clinched a 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6[10-4] in five hours and 15 minutes. Some fans think Wimbledon is showing favoritism toward the Serbian legend by giving him a bit more time to rest.

Check out their reactions here:

Estoy completamente ATÓNITO con este cambio horario.

Lo normal, al venir jugando antes, es que el Sinner-Djokovic lo pusieran en primer turno este viernes.

Pues no.

Han puesto a las 13:30h de UK (14:30h de España) el Fery-Zverev, y luego seguido del Jannik-Nole.

No entiendo… https://t.co/nzGvS7P21p

— José Morón (@jmgmoron) July 9, 2026

La gente actuando como si esto beneficia a jannik cuando claramente Djokovic es el principal beneficiado que es el que más desgastado llega y más tiempo necesita para recuperar, os pido que useis vuestras dos neuronas por una vez

— n🍍🎾 (@nforzadepor) July 9, 2026

Yo te digo José! Para que el abuelo serbio tenga más tiempo de descanso !

— Rodrigo (@Rrodriguez_231) July 9, 2026

Tal vez porque Novak jugó un partido de más de 5 HRS 🤔 aunque a pesar de eso no debieron modificar el horario

— Vanessa AR (@JilipaLo) July 9, 2026

Probably @DjokerNole might have requested for the 2nd slot to recover better.

— Raghu (@rags205) July 9, 2026

All for Nole🤡🤡🤡🤡

— Allegra8 (@Allegra46810386) July 9, 2026

fanno riposare di più a Djokovic

— Iostoconglippopotami (@SebastianoMall7) July 9, 2026

Non pensi che sarebbe meglio….per Djokovic ? Sei sei onesto…

— Saverio (@saverio_64) July 9, 2026

Wimbledon will always be corrupt.

— Tennis In the Park 🇺🇦 (@TennisInthePar1) July 9, 2026

probably because some 39 year old needs more rest after a 5 hour battle

— Teleskop (@Teleskop256068) July 9, 2026

Sinner knocked out Jan-Lennard Struff in the quarterfinals. He is chasing his sixth title of the season following wins in five Masters 1000s.

Boris Becker on Jannik Sinner-Novak Djokovic Wimbledon match

Boris Becker analyzed the upcoming Sinner-Djokovic match during his interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. The German believes the five-set win that Sinner registered in the first round against Miomir Kecmanovic was a crucial moment for the 24-year-old.

I think the first match was fundamental. Winning that very long five-set encounter was extremely important, especially because his track record in those types of situations was not particularly good. I have the feeling that he has been growing match by match. The key is to peak at the right moment, and I believe he’s now positioned ideally to face the decisive phase of the tournament.

Becker also believes this Wimbledon is the best chance for his former protege to end his Grand Slam title drought. Djokovic last won a Major at the 2023 US Open.

He will have to improve. I have always thought that Wimbledon was Djokovic’s best opportunity to win another Grand Slam, and I believe he knows it too. On grass, Novak remains the most difficult opponent to beat. Let’s not forget he defeated Sinner in the semifinals of Melbourne. In a Grand Slam, Nole always poses a huge obstacle.

Boris Becker added

The last time Djokovic won at the grass-court Major was in 2022 against Nick Kyrgios. He played the finals in 2023 and 2024 but lost both times to Alcaraz. Djokovic has yet to win a Big Title since his victory over the seven-time Grand Slam champion at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Also read: Karolina Muchova Makes Unexpected Confession After Reaching Wimbledon Semifinals