By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Friday, July 4, 2025
Photo credit: Richard Pelham/Getty
Wimbledon—Jannik Sinner has squared off against Novak Djokovic nine times.
Even when the world No. 1 isn’t facing the Grand Slam king on court, Sinner is studying Djokovic’s style on video.
The top-seeded Sinner swept Djokovic in last month’s Roland Garros semifinals, handing the Serbian superstar his first major semifinal straight-sets loss in 15 years.
For Sinner, Djokovic is not only an opponent, he’s a tutor.
Hall of Famer John McEnroe says Sinner’s groundstrokes, particularly his powerful two-handed backhand, may well be based on Djokovic’s immaculate groundstrokes.
“His backhand is one of the best shots,” John McEnroe said on BBC earlier this week. “To me, he obviously studied Novak’s backhand because it is extremely similar. And then he has the wingspan..
“I think in Sinner’s case, he is a guy who is six foot three or four who almost looks like he is six foot 10 because of the wingspan. It’s hard to get the ball by him.”
Asked about the comparisons between his style and Djokovic’s, Sinner said he’s not only studied the former world No. 1—he’s discussed technique with Djokovic.
“It’s difficult to say because I still believe we are both different players, no?” Sinner said after his Wimbledon second-round win over Aleksandar Vukic. “We do have couple of similarities in a way of how we maybe hit the ball on the forehand and backhand.
“I feel like he has improved a lot the serve. Like today he was serving incredibly well.”
The shared similarities are their ball striking, technique on groundstrokes and the fact both men are exceptional on the stretch. Sinner said the primary differences are Djokovic possesses more variety and is more comfortable and experienced moving on grass, while the three-time Grand Slam champion is a bit more powerful.
“But this is also the experience he has more than I have,” Sinner said of Djokovic. “He mix up the game a little bit more. I may be a little bit the faster hitter. But in the other way, I’m also quite consistent, no, like he is.
The connection doesn’t end on the court. Sinner recently split with Djokovic’s former trainer Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Uli Badio prior to Wimbledon. Sinner said Djokovic has shared advice as well.
“There are some similarities,” Sinner said. “But yeah, I believe that he gave me a lot of informations that I can make my game similar to his, but in my style.”
If it sounds like a stretch for Djokovic to share insight with his rivals, it’s really not.
Before Wimbledon began world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka asked the Olympic gold medal champion for advice. While Djokovic declined to discuss exactly what they spoke about, he said he’s “always available” when players ask for insight—even if it’s one of his top rivals.
“Of course, I’m very happy to always share with anybody, as I was doing with a lot of the other male tennis players mostly,” Djokovic said. “Yeah, obviously what we talk about stays between us. I hope that it can serve them as a great, I guess, even if it’s just an encouragement, even if it’s something that they heard before, but hearing it from me maybe sounds different. It impacts them differently.
“Of course, I’m honored to be in the position where the No. 1 in the world comes to me, approaches me, and asks me some questions and advices and guidance. That’s, of course, a very privileged position to be in. Always try to be available.”
Tapping into the minds and work routines of top champions is one way coach Darren Cahill has helped educated his players.
Prior to coaching Sinner, Cahill guided Simona Halep to the world No. 1 ranking and often took the Romanian to Rafael Nadal’s practice sessions so she could observe—and emulate—the King of Clay’s work ethic.
Sinner, who has also studied ace master John Isner’s technique as he retools his own serve, said he’ll continue to study and learn from Djokovic.
“Yeah, so I always try to see from certain players what I can take and trying to see if it works well,” Sinner said. “Yeah, he is definitely the main person I look up to, trying to do couple of things like him.”
If seeds hold true to form, Sinner and Djokovic could share the court again in the Wimbledon semifinals.
