“He will tell me where I am,” Jannik Sinner keeps his feet grounded ahead of Novak Djokovic clash at the ATP Finals following his win over Stefanos Tsitsipas

Jannik Sinner has never defeated Novak Djokovic so far in his career.

“He will tell me where I am,” Jannik Sinner keeps his feet grounded ahead of Novak Djokovic clash at the ATP Finals following his win over Stefanos Tsitsipas

Jannik Sinner (L), Novak Djokovic (R) (Sources: Tennis Buzz/CODE Sports)

Jannik Sinner has been off to a great start in the 2023 ATP Finals as he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets in his first match of the tournament. Despite his big victory, the Italian has kept his feet grounded as he will be facing the top seed, Novak Djokovic, next in the group stage.

Sinner has said that he is looking forward to the match because the Serb will show him where exactly he is in his game right now and how much he has improved from the last time. 

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The Italian asserted that every time he faces Djokovic, he feels that he is coming closer to beating him. This is how he makes sure that he is making progress.

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Djokovic will tell me where I am. I felt closer this year in the semifinals at Wimbledon, despite losing in three sets, than last year in the quarter-finals, when we fought for five. I can't wait. These are the games I train for every day, the ones that put me under pressure. 

The 22-year-old added that these matches are a win-win situation as he either ends up victorious or learns from his mistakes and becomes an improved player in the process. 

Because you're up against someone who's won 24 Grand Slams, three out of four this year alone. In terms of results, the best this sport has ever had. I hope to meet him as soon as possible, already in the group. These are the important games for growth, the ones for which I say ‘I win or I learn'. 

Sinner’s victory over Tsitsipas has already put him in an advantageous position to qualify for the semifinals. If he manages to perform well against Novak Djokovic and Holger Rune and manages to win at least one of these matches, he will more or less confirm his place in the semifinals. 

Jannik Sinner’s head-to-head record against Novak Djokovic 

Sinner and Djokovic have played against each other a total of three times and the Serb has ousted the Italian in all those instances. Thus, the Italian has never defeated Djokovic yet. This is a massive advantage in the Serb’s favor. However, it must be remembered that there is a first time for everything. 

Jannik Sinner (L), Novak Djokovic (R)
Jannik Sinner (L), Novak Djokovic (R) (Sources: The Guardian, beIN Sports)

Their most memorable match was hands-down, the one in the 2023 Wimbledon Open quarterfinals. Sinner had won the first two sets of the match and it was then that Djokovic pulled off a sensational comeback win, showing once again that he is one of the most clutch tennis players ever. The match ended 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in Nole’s favor.

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