Djokovic Injury Worry Ahead of Wimbledon Semifinal Against Sinner
Novak Djokovic may face a tough road if he wants to win another Wimbledon title in 2025. He might need to beat world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, and also deal with an injury picked up during his last match.
On Wednesday, 9 July, Djokovic slipped awkwardly during the final game of his quarterfinal match against No. 22 seed Flavio Cobolli. He fell into a painful splits position and looked to be in discomfort. Although he finished the last two points and won the match, he later said he wasn’t sure how serious the injury was.
“I’ll feel the real effect tomorrow,” Djokovic said after the match. “Let’s see what happens.”
He hurt what seemed to be his hip or groin area, and there are now concerns ahead of his semifinal match against Sinner on Friday.
Will Djokovic Play in the Semifinal?
As of Thursday afternoon, Djokovic is still expected to play Sinner in the Wimbledon men’s singles semifinal. However, he cancelled his planned practice session that day, which raised some concerns.
“It was a nasty fall,” Djokovic admitted. “That’s part of playing on grass. I’ve had a few like that before. My body isn’t the same as it used to be. I just hope that in the next 24 to 48 hours, the injury won’t be too bad and that I can play without pain.”
Djokovic, now 38 years old, works with a team of around 10 people daily to help him recover and prepare for matches. He says he spends many hours in the gym and doing treatment off the court to stay in top condition.
What Happened During the Injury?
Djokovic was injured during the fourth set as he tried to return a shot near the baseline. He slipped and did the splits, then stayed on the ground for a few seconds. Flavio Cobolli showed great sportsmanship by handing Djokovic his racket, which earned applause from the crowd. Djokovic then served the final points to win the match.
Big Challenge Ahead
Djokovic now has a chance to face Sinner, who beat him in the French Open semifinals last month. The Serbian is chasing his eighth Wimbledon title but hasn’t lifted the trophy since 2022. He lost the last two finals to Carlos Alcaraz.
“This is what matters most to me,” Djokovic said. “Being in the last stages of a Grand Slam and playing the best in the world. I couldn’t ask for a bigger challenge. I’ll do everything I can to be ready.”
