Novak Djokovic fires warning to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon

If Novak Djokovic is to win his record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title on Sunday, he will have to do it the hard way.

The Serbian superstar will face world No.1 Jannik Sinner in a blockbuster semi-final on Centre Court this evening. And should he reach a seventh successive Wimbledon final, he would still probably face two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

It is a herculean task in the 30-degree heat of tropical London - but also probably the last real chance here for a champion who will be 39 next year.

Sinner, 23, and Alcaraz, 22, have shared the last six Major titles - and an epic French Open final last month. And the Italian has beaten Djokovic in their last four meetings, including in straight sets in the Paris semi-final. "I could have played better, but he was just the better player when the moments were important," the Serb recalled.

"So I get another opportunity. For me, this is what actually counts the most. Being in the last stages of Grand Slams and playing against the best player in the world right now. Him next to Alcaraz are the leaders of men's tennis today. I couldn't ask for a bigger challenge, for sure, for myself. I look forward to it."

The previous Grand Slam meeting between Sinner and Djokovic was in the 2024 Australian Open semi-final where the Serb failed to force a break point for the first time in a Major match. But the Serb has won both their meetings on grass at Wimbledon.

In the 2022 quarter-finals, Sinner took the first two sets before the then No.10 seed faded while Djokovic took the 2023 semi-final in straight sets. The Serb won his 24th and last Major title at the 2023 US Open. Sinner has won three Grand Slams in that time.

"Since a couple of years ago, many things have changed for me.," insisted the world No.1. "Before matches I'm more comfortable or confident. I believe that I'm a different player, a different person. Hopefully I can say that I'm more mature, too,"

Former world No.4 James Blake said: "It is now a question of how much Sinner has got better on grass. Is he now able to compete on this surface with Novak Djokovic?"

It also promises to be a war of physical attrition. Sinner declared his right elbow injury is "100%" recovered while Djokovic slipped late in his quarter-final win. The longer it goes, the better the chance for the younger man. And Sinner has served superbly here and has won 95% of his service games (62/65) - the highest in the tournament. Djokovic, who last lost a Wimbledon semi-final to Roger Federer in 2012, cannot outpower or outrun the double Australian Open champion.

The 2002 Melbourne champion Thomas Johansson said: "Novak can't give him any rhythm. He needs to vary his game using his slice, drop shots and serve and volley sometimes."

Sinner is the 12th man to reach four consecutive Grand Slam semi-finals Majors - and the youngest since Rafa Nadal in 2009. "To get here is extraordinary," said La Volpe Rosso (the Red Fox). "But I haven't won anything here yet - the work never ends."

To be the first to receive the latest Wimbledon news, join our WhatsApp community or Wimbledon newsletter