Novak Djokovic will play Jannik Sinner in this year’s Wimbledon semi-finals.
Standing between the Serb and an 11th Wimbledon final is the defending champion, Sinner.
Djokovic will walk on court as a slight underdog against Sinner, having failed to win each of the last 10 major tournaments.
Jannik Sinner vs Novak Djokovic – Who reaches the Wimbledon final?
The best in the world takes on the G.O.A.T.
Former American ATP pro, Steve Johnson, has now told Djokovic what he must do to have a chance against the world number one.
Steve Johnson says Novak Djokovic must play ‘his best’ off both wings and move well to beat Jannik Sinner
During the latest episode of ‘Something Major‘, Johnson outlined Djokovic’s path to victory against Sinner.
“I think he needs it to be hot, I think Novak [Djokovic] needs to play his best, or near his best off both wings, he needs to move really well, and [Jannik] Sinner has to have a little bit of an off-service day,” said Johnson.
Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic’s head-to-head record (6-5)
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2026 Wimbledon – SF | – | – | – |
| 2026 Australian Open – SF | Novak Djokovic | Jannik Sinner | 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2025 Wimbledon – SF | Jannik Sinner | Novak Djokovic | 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2025 French Open – SF | Jannik Sinner | Novak Djokovic | 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 |
| 2024 Shanghai Masters – F | Jannik Sinner | Novak Djokovic | 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2024 Australian Open – SF | Jannik Sinner | Novak Djokovic | 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 |
| 2023 Davis Cup – SF | Jannik Sinner | Novak Djokovic | 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 |
| 2023 ATP Finals – F | Novak Djokovic | Jannik Sinner | 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2023 ATP Finals – RR | Jannik Sinner | Novak Djokovic | 7-5, 6-7, 7-6 |
| 2023 Wimbledon – SF | Novak Djokovic | Jannik Sinner | 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2022 Wimbledon – QF | Novak Djokovic | Jannik Sinner | 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 |
| 2021 Monte Carlo Masters – 2R | Novak Djokovic | Jannik Sinner | 6-4, 6-2 |
“We’ve seen that in the past, where Novak can get into some of these second serve return points.
“He’s got to empty the tank here; if he gets to a final, anything can happen.
“Sinner has not played his best, which is a promising sign for Novak, but Sinner has also won five Masters series this year; it’s still in there.”
Jannik Sinner’s 2026 Masters 1000 titles
- Indian Wells
- Miami Open
- Monte Carlo Masters
- Madrid Open
- Italian Open
Johnson’s co-host, Sam Querrey, was also keen to weigh in, suggesting how the extra day off would benefit the Serb.
“The big question is, he’s got two days off now before he plays Sinner. I believe with 48 hours off, his battery can recharge pretty close to full, what do you think about that? Elite athletes can recover pretty quickly,” he said.
“I think it’s massive that he was able to be on the Sinner side, so he started Monday, so he got the extra day off,” added Johnson.
“One day off, I don’t know how he feels, two days off, I just think he’s going to be as close to whatever 100% is anymore as he is.
“The man is a physical freak; he knows from the minute that match stopped, to the minute that he walks out to play Sinner in the semis, everything is geared toward his body being ready.
“Whatever that is, he’s got a lot of different ideas on the health side of things, and he’s going to get himself back to 100%, or as close as possible.
“And it’s hot there right?
“That’s going to be good for Novak when he plays Sinner. Novak with the extra day off is huge.”
Johnson then shared who he wants to see reach the final.
“I want to take Novak because I think it would be electric to see him back in a final at 39 years of age,” he said.
Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson don’t think Arthur Fery will win a set against Alexander Zverev in the other semi-final
Querrey and Johnson also commented on the other men’s semi-final, where Arthur Fery will play Alexander Zverev.
“[Alexander] Zverev plays [Arthur] Fery. Zverev’s not losing a set here against Fery,” said Querrey.
“There is no way Zverev loses a set against Fery.
“The dream run has been phenomenal, I’ve loved watching Fery, but no, he can’t win a set.”
Johnson agreed with Querrey’s assessment.
Do you believe Arthur Fery can win Wimbledon?
“I don’t think he wins a set, maybe one in a breaker if he gets there, but the step up in class from a [Flavio] Cobolli to a Zverev, regardless of what happened at the French Open, it’s still a step up in class from those two guys.
“So I think straights, but I’m sure we’re wrong!”
Fery will play Zverev and Sinner will play Djokovic in the Wimbledon semi-finals on Friday, July 10.
