John McEnroe has suggested that Novak Djokovic carries a slight advantage over Jannik Sinner as they prepare to face off in the semifinals of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships. Despite the Italian outplaying the Serbian in their recent meetings, McEnroe highlighted that Djokovic’s experience on grass courts could be decisive in this matchup.
In an interview with TNT Sports, the tennis legend pointed out that Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, is acutely aware of his limited time left to claim major titles. McEnroe recalled their recent encounter at the French Open, where Sinner defeated Djokovic in straight sets, signaling a shift in their competitive dynamic.
“Even he (Djokovic) knows he doesn’t have loads more chances to win majors. He’s had a great looking draw so far, but Sinner beat him in the French and started outplaying him,” McEnroe said.
Nevertheless, McEnroe emphasized that Wimbledon’s grass surface plays to Djokovic’s strengths more than Sinner’s, potentially giving the Serbian player an edge in their upcoming contest.
“But on this court, you would say this is Sinner’s least favorite and Novak’s best at this point, so that makes it a real toss-up. Maybe even a slight edge in Novak’s favor. Wimbledon is Novak’s best chance to win another Slam, absolutely. He understands the nuances of this court better than anyone,” McEnroe added.
Concerns Over Djokovic’s Physical Condition Ahead of Semifinal
McEnroe also addressed the physical challenges Djokovic has faced during Wimbledon. The 36-year-old Serbian was hampered by a stomach issue during his first-round match and later suffered a troubling slip near the end of his quarterfinal victory against Flavio Cobolli. These incidents cast some doubt on Djokovic’s fitness entering the semifinal.
“There’s a bit of uncertainty with Djokovic’s body and his stomach. I’m not sure what’s going on there, but I’ve never seen a player ice their stomach during a match before,” McEnroe remarked.
Djokovic’s withdrawal from practice on his day off before the semifinal further fueled speculation about his physical condition, though the extent of any injury has not been confirmed. Meanwhile, Sinner has also faced his own struggles, dealing with an arm problem during his quarterfinal win against Ben Shelton.
As both athletes prepare for their decisive match, their respective health statuses will likely be crucial factors in determining who advances to the Wimbledon final.