Novak Djokovic Offers Advice to Jannik Sinner Ahead of Wimbledon Opener

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner shared a training session at the All England Club on Thursday (June 25) as they continue their preparation for the Wimbledon Championships. With both players together on the court, Djokovic shared some advice to Sinner ahead of his title defense at the grass-court Grand Slam.

Sinner claimed the Wimbledon title for the first time in his career after beating Carlos Alcaraz, his arch-rival, in four sets last year. It was the Italian star’s second title of the season, having won the Australian Open skillfully, beating Alexander Zverev in straight sets at the Rod Laver Arena.

However, this year is a bit different for Sinner as he’s yet to win a Grand Slam or even reach a major final. The Italian star arrived in London after a shocking second-round exit at the Roland Garros. He was the overwhelming favorite to win the clay-court major title, but collapsed in the second round to Juan Manuel Cerundolo.

The loss came after five consecutive ATP Masters title triumphs, a run that saw him win over 30 matches on the court. However, the last time Sinner defended a Grand Slam was at the Australian Open last year. Though he’s the defending champion of Wimbledon, Djokovic has a better experience at the tournament than the World No.1.

Djokovic has won Wimbledon seven times in his career, and he’s seeking his eighth, which will see him tie Roger Federer‘s record at the tournament. After acting as a training partner to Sinner at the All England Club, Djokovic told the Italian star to enjoy the feeling of being the defending champion of Wimbledon, as it is a mind-blowing experience:

I don’t think he needs my advice, to be honest, he’s already doing very well. Today, I’m just trying to be the best sparring partner possible for him. He has come off two incredible seasons in his career, so when the time comes to step onto the Centre Court, to see that fresh grass as the defending champion, he will understand that there is no other feeling in the world of tennis that can compare.

Sinner will hope to bounce back from his slump at the French Open by winning his first Slam of the season at Wimbledon. However, with Alcaraz absent from the tournament due to a wrist injury, the Italian star is the favorite to win the championships, though not as overwhelmingly as at the French Open.

Novak Djokovic admits he doesn’t have any tricks for Jannik Sinner on how to defend Wimbledon

If there’s any player in the men’s circuit with the experience of defending a Grand Slam tournament on grass, it’s Novak Djokovic. Also, he’s the player who knows when to turn up at the most crucial moments on tour and in big tournaments like Wimbledon. Though he last won Wimbledon in 2022, he has reached the final twice in the past four years.

During the aforementioned interview, Djokovic was asked if he had any tricks for Sinner on how to defend Wimbledon. The Serbian legend turned down the question, stressing that he doesn’t have any trick to give a player like Sinner, while hinting that Sinner has done it before:

Probably, it’s in the top five of things within the world of sports. I have no advice for him, I would just tell him to enjoy the moment because there aren’t many moments like this.

Sinner will open his account at the Wimbledon Championships with Miomir Kecmanović. He’s projected to face Italian star Luciano Darderi in the fourth round of the competition. But before that, he’s likely to face Portuguese star Nuno Borges in the second round and Ignacio Buse in the third round at the All England Club.

Also Read: Darren Cahill Reveals Some Silent Details About Jannik Sinner’s Character off the Tennis Court