Sinner Keen To Bank Wimbledon Experience, Looks To The Future

Despite falling short of reaching his maiden Wimbledon final, Jannik Sinner is pleased to have earned more big-match Grand Slam experience. The Italian dropped just two sets en route to his first major semi-final before seven-time champion Novak Djokovic ended his run on Friday.

“I’m trying to play in these situations more often,” Sinner said. “I knew before the match already that it’s a tough match today, but that’s why I practise for. I felt like I was ready. I went with the right mentality on the court. I had a belief to win this match.

“I am not afraid to play these kinds of matches. The first semi-final is never easy to play. I felt like my level was good. In the pressure points, I messed it up a little bit. But it’s trying to take out the positives and looking forward.”

The 21-year-old, who became just the third Italian man to reach the last four at Wimbledon, also lost against Djokovic at The Championships last year. He fell in five sets a year ago, but feels his match against the Serbian was closer on Friday despite his straight sets defeat.

“Regardless of the score, I felt like I was more close this year than last year,” Sinner said. “That’s what I felt. I felt the level was better. I think it’s something positive from my point of view.

“I had chances in the beginning of the match. Then I had break points in the second set. Third set I had set points. I felt like I was closer this year than last year, even if last year was five sets.”

Djokovic has now won his past 34 matches at the grass-court major, most recently losing in 2017. Sinner was full of praise for the World No. 2, who will aim to clinch a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon crown on Sunday against Carlos Alcaraz or Daniil Medvedev.

“His mental side is very strong, for sure,” Sinner said. “Especially the important moments, he knows exactly how to play them. He’s not going to give you something.

“I felt like he has improved also the serve a little bit. And when he’s missing, he’s not missing on much. It’s always quite close to the lines. But still I felt like I was returning good the more the match went more. I started to play better. But it is a very tough serve to return because especially first serve is not bouncing high enough. It’s quite flat with a little bit of slice and everything.”

Sinner leaves London holding a 37-11 record on the season. The Italian is up two spots to fifth in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin as he bids to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time. The 21-year-old competed as an alternate at the year-end event in 2021.