What Novak Djokovic told Jannik Sinner he needed to improve after their first ever match together in 2021

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Novak Djokovic battled against Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for years, but now he must take on the new kids on the block.

Djokovic has hinted at a much busier 2025 season, having had his 2024 campaign disrupted by a knee injury.

He failed to win a Grand Slam, with his best finish being a runner-up spot at Wimbledon after his final loss to Carlos Alcaraz.

Alcaraz also won the French Open, with world number one Jannik Sinner winning the Australian Open and US Open.

Sinner is now stepping up his training efforts, with the Italian undoubtedly the player to watch in 2025 after eight titles in 2024.

What Novak Djokovic said to Jannik Sinner after their first ever match

He defeated defending champion Djokovic on his way to Australian Open glory, securing a 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 semi-final win.

As quoted by Nine after the match, Sinner suggested that practice sessions against the Serbian helped clinch the victory.

“This story is true, I had the chance already when I was young – 16 or 17 – to practice with him in Monaco,” said Sinner.

READ MORE: Who is Novak Djokovic? Step inside the life of the 24-time Grand Slam champion

“The process of trying to learn from the best players in the world started there – but the matches are different.

“He told me after the [first] match that he tried to move the ball a little bit more and be a little bit more unpredictable.

“We are trying to do that obviously – the serve has improved a lot, but I have the feeling that I can still improve a lot more. I have a great team behind me and we can keep pushing.”

What is the head-to-head record between Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner?

Djokovic and Sinner have met eight times in ATP Tour action, beginning with an ATP Masters 1,000 Monte Carlo round of 32 clash in 2021.

The Serbian won that match and the two that followed, but Sinner has recovered over the years to currently sit level on four wins apiece.

READ MORE: Tim Henman says why he wants Novak Djokovic to ‘struggle’ at the 2025 Australian Open

Plenty of chances will likely arrive in 2025 for either Djokovic or Sinner to push ahead in their thrilling head-to-head battle.

But the 24-time Grand Slam champion won’t be thinking about such a rivalry at this moment in time as he works in the off-season with Andy Murray.

He is chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title and a record-extending 11th Australian Open, while intriguingly Sinner is looking to defend his title in Melbourne.