Key events
So it’ll the the No 1 seed v the No 2 seed in Sunday’s final, in a head-to-head that Sinner has absolutely dominated since 2024, winning their past nine matches (and the past six in straight sets, including the 2025 Australian Open final), after Zverev had won four of their first five meetings. But … Zverev is a different player now, walking a little taller and playing with more belief and aggression after finally getting over the grand slam line at the French Open, so another demolition job by Sinner is by no means certain.
“Amazing. It means a lot that I can play one more final here,” says a smiling Sinner. “It’s the most special tournament we have. What Novak is still doing is amazing. We always have tough matches, the last one he won in the semis in Australia, so I tried to make a couple of adjustments. He had a tough match against Felix in the last round, which we’ll remember. I tried to stay aggressive, serving very well, which helped me a lot today. He’s the best returner in our game so I tried to mix it up and I’m very happy with the performance, with where I am, back in the finals, and of course we hope for a good final on Sunday.”
Finally, he’s asked what it’s like to play in front of so many fashion icons. “Nerve-wracking,” he replies, as Anna Wintour smiles in the Royal Box. She was a huge Federer fan back in the day, but I wonder if Sinner, after that display, is now her numero uno.
A standing ovation for Djokovic, who raises his arms in the air and acknowledges the crowd, before departing. Will this be his final exit on the court where he has reigned seven times? It doesn’t necessarily look like it from his body language. But of course it doesn’t get any easier playing the generation game. He’ll be 40 by the time Wimbledon comes around next year.
Sinner defeats Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4!
Ace, 15-0. Smash, 30-0. Ace, 40-0. The grass is turning into quicksand for Djokovic. Three match points. Sinner serves … he digs the return out of his feet … Djokovic drop shots … Sinner scampers forward … and Djokovic pats his overhead wide! A superb performance from Sinner, who’s back to his best after his meltdown at the French Open, and he’s into his second successive Wimbledon final, and his first slam final since last year’s US Open! And the good news gets even better for Sinner, because he’ll face Alexander Zverev in the final, an opponent he’s beaten nine times in a row.
Third set: Sinner* 6-4, 6-4, 5-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
“I will never forget Djokovic’s incredible, heroic 5 hour 5 set win over FAA in the quarters,” emails Gavriella Epstein-Lightman. “He found a top level that eludes many in the tight moments, and seemed to defy age. Perhaps, then, it was inevitable that the physical and emotional exertion of that win would catch up on him, as it is now against Sinner. Djokovic lacks the competitive fire and energy that characterised his previous match, and he’ll need a damascene conversion – a moment of inspiration – to turn this one around.” Some serve volleying keeps Djokovic in the match … but Sinner will return after the changeover to serve this out …
Third set: Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 5-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
The quandary for Djokovic and his future, as he slides closer to defeat at 30-0 on Sinner’s serve, is that he played only four tournaments this year before Wimbledon and he’s still able to turn up, without much match practice, and beat everyone in the draw apart from Sinner (at the Australian Open it was everyone apart from Alcaraz). There’ll be much talk, of course, after this match about when the 39-year-old will retire, but why would he when he’s getting so close to that 25th major, even though he can’t quite get over the line? Sinner holds to love, sealing it with an ace, and Djokovic must hold serve to extend this semi-final any further.
Third set: Sinner* 6-4, 6-4, 4-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Sinner has a break point at 30-40. And this one may as well be a match point, because if Sinner wins it, he’ll be serving for the match with the comfort of a double break. The Djoker pulls an ace out of his pack to save it, and an unreturned serve gets him to his advantage, and another ace settles matters! But his serving resistance may be futile, because Sinner is still two games from victory and back-to-back Wimbledon finals.
Third set: Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 4-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Another 30-all situation on Sinner’s serve. But a 13th ace prevents the chance of another break point as Sinner brings up 40-30. This is a similar scoreline to last year’s semi-final between the two; Djokovic was injured then, he doesn’t seem hindered today, despite the calf injury he suffered in the quarter-final against Felix Auger-Aliassime, though the five-plus hours he played in that match may well have affected his ability to get to that extra ball today … just as a forehand strike from Sinner drags Djokovic out of court on game point, and he blazes well wide.
Third set: Sinner* 6-4, 6-4, 3-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Speaking of Nadal (a couple of games ago), I’d really recommend watching his documentary, if you haven’t already. Not only does it show how humble he is, it was eye-opening in terms of the level of pain he played at for so many years. I’m not sure there have been many other sportspeople so willing to suffer for their success. But anyway, Djokovic, after pushing Sinner so close in that last game without having a break to show for it, does at least hold to 15 as he puts that missed break point out of his mind.
Third set: Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 3-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
But finding a way to do any damage on Sinner’s serve is another matter entirely. Even Djokovic’s wife is joining in the chants as he advances to 30-all … but Sinner snuffs out her hope and that of the crowd’s with a smash. But look here, Djokovic takes the next point for deuce, and then Sinner can’t chase down the drop shot in time and Djokovic has his first break point! “NOLE, NOLE, NOLE, NOLE!” chant the crowd once more. “He’s finally getting the respect from the crowd he deserves [in his career]; I love it,” says Agassi. But Sinner turns back into a serving machine and he thwacks, whacks and cracks his way through the next three points to hold. Normal service has resumed.
Third set: Sinner* 6-4, 6-4, 2-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Rafael Nadal, Coco Gauff and Kim Clijsters also quickly come to mind, when I think of the most humble champions. And Sinner consolidates the break just as quickly … and then he’s pushing and probing again on the Djokovic serve at 15-30, and although Djokovic scrambles to 40-30, Sinner just isn’t letting up and sprints back to his advantage. And another break point. Djokovic, gamely, finds a way to hold, courtesy of a couple of drop shots and a fortunate net cord.
Sinner breaks: *Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 1-0 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic is bent over, gasping for air, as he slides 15-40 down in the opening game of the third. These aren’t quite match points yet, but they’re not too far from it. Djokovic, with his wife and children watching in his box, wildly fluttering their paper fans in this Centre Court sauna, saves both – and is suddenly the coolest person in the house as he saves a third, at Sinner’s advantage, with a fine forehand winner. But he can’t fend off a fourth when, opting to volley off a second serve, he nets. Sinner is in total command. And Dean Moull is back. “Just one more Andre (full disclosure he is my all time favourite player) related comment, how rare is it to hear someone so successful and talented be so humble…he really is a legend (and he married up too).” Ah, Andre and Steffi, two of my all-time favourites too.
Sinner wins the second set 6-4
Djokovic does, at least, hold to 15 to ask the question of Sinner. Djokovic is flying around like Superman on the first point of Sinner’s serve … but it’s still not enough to down the world No 1. Sinner’s 24-year-old brilliance is just >>>>> 39-year-old Djokovic’s. 15-0 becomes 30-0 and 40-0, when Djokovic’s ability to play that extra ball is shown to be not as good as Sinner’s any more. There’s no long rally on the first set point, though, as Djokovic rams a return into the net. Djokovic has a mountain to climb now. And it’s one that his 39-year-old legs are unlikely to scale.
Second set: Sinner 6-4, 5-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Dean Moull emails. “First, is it me or should Andre do a sleeping app for insomniacs? Or maybe bedtime stories for kids who refuse to sleep? [YES AND YES!] Smooth isn’t the word! Also, it’s a strange match insofar as notwithstanding the awesome talent of both and the incredible achievements of both (and particularly Novak obviously) the match lacks a romantic or artistic component…I guess we all hope for a 5 setter of sustained excellence but something is missing…the gasps are of admiration rather than of joy, we’re missing the involuntary giggles prompted by an absurd shot by Carlos for example… Still…they are rather good aren’t they!!” Yes, Alcaraz is the greatest showman, and let’s hope he’s back fit soon, but I also think the lack of jeopardy isn’t helping the atmosphere right now. Cue a hold to love from Sinner, which lessens the second-set intrigue that bit more. He hasn’t faced a single break point in this match.
Sinner breaks: Sinner* 6-4, 4-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
But Djokovic’s level drops here, as he falls 0-30 down. Having been broken at 4-4 in the first set, he’s in danger of being broken at a similar juncture here, and Sinner, from an angle that doesn’t even seem possible from a Djokovic ball down the middle, conjures up a backhand winner for 15-40! For the second successive service game, Djokovic is living very dangerously, and this time he can’t prevent the break, and he’s absolutely rooted the grass as Sinner pulls off a perfect drop shot on the second break point!
First set: Sinner 6-4, 3-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
From 0-30 down, Sinner nails three first serves and it’s 40-30. Just as my computer freezes. When it rouses itself into action, Sinner has held to level this set once more. And some words of wisdom from Agassi for Djokovic: “If you can raise your level just a touch and make the other question themselves just a touch, a lot can swing very quickly. In this sport, as in life, hope is fragile but hard to kill.”
First set: Sinner* 6-4, 2-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
One of the more telling stats of this match is that Djokovic has won only 25% of points on his second serve, while Sinner has claimed 60%. It’s a similar story in this game on Djokovic’s serve and, at 15-all, Djokovic is blown off the baseline – quite literally – by the onslaught from Sinner, as he stumbles backwards and nets. 15-30. Now 15-40. Sinner shanks a forehand on the first break point and nets his return off a punchy first serve on the second. Djokovic hits back behind Sinner to bring up game point, but Sinner drags him back to deuce, before Djokovic takes the next two points to hold.
First set: Sinner 6-4, 2-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
A glimmer for Djokovic at 15-30. And there haven’t been too many of these on Sinner’s serve today. Sinner slams an ace out wide for 30-all, but then gives Djokovic another chance with an unconvincing drop shot that lands a bit too deep … but Djokovic nets! And then batters a backhand long.
First set: Sinner* 6-4, 1-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
That’s one of the interesting aspects of today’s semi-final, that Djokovic, having spent most of his career chasing the adoration of the crowds and not getting it, now has the love he’s always craved. How much of that is because he’s the underdog, or because they know he won’t be around for much longer, or because they want him to get that final piece of tennis history, I’m not sure (it’s probably more the first two than the third, given their love for Federer and Nadal), but they’re screaming loudly when he holds to 30 as Sinner can’t get his return into play.
First set: Sinner 6-4, 1-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
“This is top stuff,” emails Jeremy Boyce. “I’m 69 now and I’ve been watching the Djoker for a long time. I came to a very quick conclusion that, when he’s on it, there is no more lethal assassin than Novak, and that if ever I needed to organise a hit I’d pay a fortune for him to be the man, because you know he will achieve the target. Has he got one more big hit in him?” Well, he does get a hit on Sinner when he swiftly turns defence into attack to win the third point on Sinner’s serve. It rouses the Serbian squad in the stands, who are cheering “NOLE, NOLE, NOLE” perhaps louder than they’ve done up until this point, and the decibel level is raised further when he gets to 30-all. But he can’t make any further inroads and Sinner is met with nothing more than polite applause when he holds.
First set: Sinner* 6-4, 0-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic lost that set despite only five unforced errors and getting 76% of his serves into play. The way Sinner upped his level in the final two games was like the Sinner of 12 months ago, before he conceded his US Open and Australian Open titles and melted away in the French Open heat. But Djokovic will, at least, take comfort in knowing he twice came from a set down to defeat Djokovic in their Australian Open semi-final in January. And he sends Sinner a message of belligerence when he opens the second set with a hold from 30-all.
Sinner wins the first set 6-4
Sinner has lost only two points on serve so far, which doesn’t augur well for Djokovic, who must break to extend this set any further. Djokovic does get to 15-all, but Sinner’s serve is far too hot for Djokovic to handle and it’s 30-15. Another snarling serve … Djokovic gets it back … but Sinner is already at the net to settle matters. 40-15, two set points. Djokovic saves one of his best shots until nearly last, as he drills a backhand down the line on the first SP, but the set is over when, with the shade of Sinner striding forward on the second SP, Djokovic nets. Sinner looks in ominous form and does Djokovic have any answer?
Sinner breaks: Sinner* 5-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic, at 15-30, misfires on the backhand, to give Sinner two break points, to add to the one he had in game five. Sinner is in command on the first … but makes an absolute hash of the smash, which crashes into the net! Maybe the sun blinded him there. But Sinner has a second … and this time he nails a brilliant backhand winner down the line! Sinner strikes at the perfect time and will serve for the first set!
First set: Sinner 4-4 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
“Hi Katy, how do you think peak Djoker (2015-16) would match up with Alcaraz (pre-injury) and current Sinner?” asks Kerrith Britland. “These questions are dumb I know, but it’s always interesting to consider with Novak because he plays who’s in front of him better than anyone. How would he differ his approach against the two young bucks if he was 10 years younger? Zverev looks scary right now. I think that one GS might be the first of a few.” Well, I think Djokovic, the greatest matchplayer of all, would find a way, more often than not, to win. Peak Djokovic walked through through walls and laughed in the face of defeat before finding a way to come through. Sinner and Alcaraz could match his shots, but not, perhaps, the mentality. Sinner, by the way, holds to love once more.
First set: Sinner* 3-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
The Centre Court crowd are almost back at capacity now, after several took their leave following Zverev’s win over Fery, and they see Sinner secure the first love hold of this semi-final. With both wearing caps in this blazing sun, it’s a little hard to see who’s who from a distance, but some trademark Djokovic stretching from the man with the limbs of elastic and mind of steel, helps make things a little clearer. And Djokovic, never one to be outshone, answers Sinner’s love hold with one of his own.
First set: Sinner* 2-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic advances to 30-0 – neither player has been able to strike any blow on the server so far – but then Djokovic knocks himself down with a first double fault. A backhand exchange follows, before Djokovic moves around his backhand to play an inside-out forehand, but he blazes into the tramlines. 30-all … the first hint of danger on serve … and Sinner has Djokovic on a piece of string, hauling him from one corner to the other, before dispatching the smash! That’s the kind of play that’ll beat the 39-year-old Djokovic. But Sinner can’t strike on the break point, as Djokovic’s backhand down the line elicits the error! And Djokovic drags himself to the hold from there.
First set: Sinner 2-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
A fourth consecutive hold to 15. And here’s Tumaini’s take on the end of Arthur Fery’s Wimbledon odyssey:
