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Novak Djokovic now gives the reason why he lost to Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros ahead of their Wimbledon rematch

Novak Djokovic (L) at Wimbledon in 2025, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner (R) at the net after their match at Roland Garros.
Credit: Rob Newell - CameraSport/Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images / Getty Images
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Novak Djokovic is two wins away from rewriting history at Wimbledon, as he enters his 14th semi-final at the championships.

Djokovic defeated Flavio Cobolli in four sets, 6-7, 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 to set up a 10th career clash with world number one Jannik Sinner in the final four.

It will be the third time the Serb has faced Sinner at Wimbledon, having played him in the 2022 quarter-finals, and the 2023 semi-finals, emerging victorious both times.

The Italian has beaten him in their last four meetings, however, the most recent of which was the Roland Garros semi-final, where Djokovic was handed a straight-sets loss.

Ahead of their bout in SW19, the 38-year-old revealed the reason why he suffered such a heavy defeat to Sinner in Paris, and pinpointed what he needs to do this time.

Novak Djokovic reacts in his match vs Flavio Cobolli at Wimbledon in 2025.
Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images

Novak Djokovic speaks ahead of his Wimbledon semi-final clash with Jannik Sinner

Speaking to Sport Klub, Djokovic said of Sinner: “Of course it’s important who I play in terms of preparation and of course the importance is much bigger when you play the world number one and a player that I have not been able to beat in the last four of five times we have played.

“The last [time] he beat me was three, four weeks ago at Roland Garros in the semifinal. I was maybe close to taking a set, maybe two, but he was simply a better player in key moments.

“I feel a little that I wasn’t fresh, I did not have enough fuel, that I needed that 10 or 20% in the semifinal. I hope that is not the case here as well.

“There is this concern, physically, how I am going to be prepared in two days. Game-wise, I know that if I play to a very high level that I can keep up and that I can win.

“I know my quality. I believe in myself and know what I am capable of. I have wins over him before here, of course, he is a different player now, he has improved a lot.

Novak Djokovic at the French Open.
Photo by Tim Clayton/Getty Images

“I mean this is it, we are at the final stages now, to win Wimbledon, it will likely require beating the two best players in the world, but with that, the success here would be much bigger and sweeter.

“So I am going to go for it and hope for the best.”

Jannik Sinner’s four-game winning streak against Novak Djokovic

The last time Djokovic beat Sinner was at the ATP Finals in 2023, where he won 6-3, 6-3 to clinch the year-end trophy for a seventh time.

Since then however, the rivalry has been very one-sided, with the younger star coming out on top in their next four meetings.

YearMatchWinner
2025Roland Garros Semi-FinalSinner
2024Shanghai Masters FinalSinner
2024Australian Open Semi-FinalSinner
2023Davis Cup Finals Semi-FinalSinner
2023ATP Finals FinalDjokovic
2023ATP Finals Round RobinSinner
2023Wimbledon Semi-FinalDjokovic
2022Wimbledon Quarter-FinalDjokovic
2021Monte-Carlo Masters Round of 32Djokovic
Novak Djokovic’s head-to-head record with Jannik Sinner

Sinner beat Djokovic in the semi-final of the Davis Cup Finals, and then won against him en route to his 2024 Australian Open crown.

Two more victories in Shanghai and Paris have seen the 23-year-old take the lead in the head-to-head.

Djokovic now has a chance to tie things up at Wimbledon, as he continues his search for a 25th Grand Slam title.