Jannik Sinner, the current ATP world No. 1, is now considered one of the most complete tennis players in the world. His rise to the very top has been marked by victories, titles, and big matches, but one moment from the past left a particularly strong impression on his development – his encounter with Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in 2022.
The then 20-year-old Italian managed to lead the Serbian ace 2-0 in sets but was ultimately defeated in five sets. Although that loss was painful, it was then that Sinner’s ascent began, all thanks to Djokovic’s words that echoed in the locker room after the match.
His coach, the experienced Darren Cahill, has now revealed what happened that day.
“Novak came up and told me: ‘Good luck with him. He hits the ball great, but he has no variation. He has no height on his shots, he doesn’t come to the net, he doesn’t try to pull me forward, I know he returns serve well, but he doesn’t attack my serve.’ And then he went through his entire game and broke it down,” Cahill recalled.
Some call Djokovic stupid, but to me, it’s just further proof he’s a class act, free of envy or ego. https://t.co/IaKK8Udazw
— N o a h (@0RealNoah0) June 17, 2025
What was clear to Sinner’s team even before, now gained special weight – because it came from a champion who knows how to win a Grand Slam.
“It wasn’t anything we didn’t already know, but when you sit down with a young player and tell him: ‘Hey, I talked to Novak and here’s what he thinks,’ it leaves a strong impression. It changes the approach, it changes the mindset,” Cahill added.
Since then, Sinner has drastically improved his game. This was followed by a triumph at the Australian Open in early 2024, and this year he reached the number one spot in the ATP rankings.
At Roland Garros this season, he was stopped by the reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz.
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Source: B92; Photo: AP