Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner will play one another for a place in the French Open final.
Djokovic made history after beating Alexander Zverev, to set up a semi-final meeting with the world number one.
This highly anticipated semi-final match between Djokovic and Sinner will be their first meeting on clay in four years.
There are some concerns about Sinner going into that match, as he looks to reverse what happened when he last played Djokovic on the dirt.
What happened when Novak Djokovic last played Jannik Sinner on clay
The French Open semi-final between Djokovic and Sinner will be their ninth overall meeting, but just their second on clay.
Djokovic first played Sinner at the Monte Carlo Masters in 2021, when the Italian was just 19 years old.
This was Sinner’s debut appearance at the Monte Carlo Masters, being ranked as the world number 22 at the time.
Despite winning his tournament debut match against Albert Ramos-Vinolas, experience showed in his second round match as Sinner was beaten by Djokovic, 6-4 6-2.
Djokovic would go on to win their first three meetings, but more recently the tide has started to turn the way of Sinner.
Their most recent meeting came in the final of the Shanghai Masters, which Sinner won in straight sets.
| Year | Tournament | Result |
| 2021 | Monte Carlo Masters (Clay) | Djokovic beat Sinner, 6-4 6-2 |
| 2022 | Wimbledon (Grass) | Djokovic beat Sinner, 5-7 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 |
| 2023 | Wimbledon (Grass) | Djokovic beat Sinner, 6-3 6-4 7-6(4) |
| 2023 | ATP Finals (Indoor Hard) | Sinner beat Djokovic, 7-5 6(5)-7 7-6(2) |
| 2023 | ATP Finals (Indoor Hard) | Djokovic beat Sinner, 6-3 6-3 |
| 2023 | Davis Cup Finals (Indoor Hard) | Sinner beat Djokovic, 6-2 2-6 7-5 |
| 2024 | Australian Open (Outdoor Hard) | Sinner beat Djokovic, 6-1 6-2 6(6)-7 6-3 |
| 2024 | Shanghai Masters (Outdoor Hard) | Sinner beat Djokovic, 7-6(4) 6-3 |
What impressed Novak Djokovic the most about Jannik Sinner in 2021
Although Sinner was only able to win six games in their only previous clay court match at the Monte Carlo Masters, Djokovic was full of praise for the then teenager.
When speaking in his post-match press conference, Djokovic avoided comparisons between himself and Sinner, but was impressed by his opponent’s maturity.
“Well, I don’t like to compare myself to even my younger self, even more with somebody else,” Djokovic said at the time. “I think he’s very talented player. He has established already himself at I feel like high level of the men’s game, playing Masters finals, winning already a couple of tournaments, for his age.
“I think what impresses me the most is his professionalism, his dedication to the everyday routines that he has to endure in order to play at such high level. I think this is why the consistency of his results is there.
“For a young player like this, what we normally would see and expect is he got a couple of good weeks here and there, but the consistency is not there until the young player matures.
“With him it’s different. He really has a good mindset. He seems more mature for his age than the rest of the guys with the way he’s playing and training. He’s got a good tempo. From the baseline he makes the other guy feel he’s got to run a lot.
“I like his game. I think he has an all-around game. He can play equally well on all the surfaces, which he has proven.
“Obviously there’s always things to improve. But he’s in good hands. Riccardo is someone that I know very well. He was my coach when I was younger, around his age. I definitely wish him all the best. I’m sure the bright future is ahead of him.”
Djokovic and Sinner will add the next chapter in their rivalry at the French Open, as they look to move one step closer to lifting the iconic Coupe des Mousquetaires.
Their semi-final match will take place on Friday, June 6, with the winner playing either Carlos Alcaraz or Lorenzo Musetti.
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