Novak Djokovic, the 38-year-old tennis legend, has ignited both excitement and concern as he advances to his record-breaking 14th Wimbledon semifinal, set to face world number one Jannik Sinner on July 11, 2025. The seven-time Wimbledon champion battled through a challenging four-set match against Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, securing a 6-7(6), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 victory on Centre Court. However, a dramatic fall late in the match has cast a shadow over his preparations for what promises to be a thrilling showdown with Sinner. “It was a nasty fall. I guess the real impact I will feel tomorrow,” Djokovic admitted, reflecting on the awkward slip that left fans, his opponent, and his family visibly concerned.
The quarter-final clash with Cobolli, a 23-year-old rising star who called Djokovic his “biggest idol,” was a test of the Serbian’s resilience. After dropping the first set in a tight tiebreak, Djokovic rallied, leveraging his experience to capitalize on Cobolli’s 44 unforced errors. The match seemed firmly in his control until the fourth set, when, at 5-4, 40/30, Djokovic attempted to change direction on the slippery grass and collapsed into an awkward split. The Centre Court crowd gasped as Cobolli rushed to check on him, joined by the chair umpire. Djokovic’s wife, Jelena, and son, Stefan, watched anxiously from the stands. “A very nasty fall on match point, the splits gone wrong….ouch,” one observer noted, capturing the moment’s intensity. Remarkably, Djokovic rose, stretched his left leg, and served out the match with two aces, showing no immediate signs of distress. “I finished the match!” he exclaimed post-match, downplaying the incident while acknowledging, “It’s kind of something I’m used to. It’s not the first and probably isn’t the last fall that I’ll have on the grass.”
The fall, described as “very awkward,” has raised questions about Djokovic’s physical condition as he prepares to face Sinner, who has dominated their recent encounters, winning the last four, including a straight-sets victory in the 2025 French Open semifinals. “I am just trying to focus on my recovery right now and getting my body in shape for a very physical battle,” Djokovic said, emphasizing the need to be at his best to challenge the 23-year-old Italian. Sinner, despite his own elbow injury sustained in a fourth-round fall against Grigor Dimitrov, expressed confidence in his recovery. “The pain is getting better,” Sinner told reporters after his 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4 win over Ben Shelton. “I played today with some painkillers which helped me to get through.” His performance, marked by 33 winners and only 17 unforced errors, showed little sign of hindrance, with his serve reaching 125mph.
Djokovic’s storied career at Wimbledon, where he now holds 102 match wins—the most at any single ATP event—underscores his mastery on grass. His 14th semifinal appearance surpasses Roger Federer’s record, and a win over Sinner would mark his sixth consecutive Wimbledon final, bringing him closer to a record-equalling eighth title and a 25th Grand Slam. “Wimbledon will always be the most special tournament we have in our sport,” Djokovic said, reflecting on his longevity. “Competing with youngsters makes me feel young.” However, Sinner’s relentless baseline game and recent dominance pose a significant challenge. Their two previous Wimbledon meetings—in 2022 and 2023—went Djokovic’s way, but Sinner’s evolution into a three-time major champion suggests a shift in their rivalry.
The fall is not Djokovic’s first physical concern this tournament. In the second round, he required a medical timeout for a stomach issue during his match against Alexandre Muller. “I went from feeling my absolute best for a set and a half to my absolute worst for about 45 minutes,” he said then, yet he recovered to win convincingly. Now, with less than 48 hours to prepare for Sinner, Djokovic is working closely with his physio team. “I’m going to address it with my team and hope that the severity is not too bad,” he said, expressing cautious optimism. Meanwhile, Sinner’s assurance that he’ll be “100%” for the semifinal adds intrigue to a matchup already laden with stakes. As both players navigate their injuries, the tennis world awaits a clash that could define Wimbledon 2025.
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