Jannik Sinner overcoming physical challenges ahead of semi-final against Novak Djokovic
Jannik Sinner has revealed he was battling physical difficulties during his Australian Open campaign but believes his body is now responding well ahead of Friday’s semi-final showdown with Novak Djokovic, reports BritPanorama.
The Italian star cruised past Ben Shelton in straight sets to reach his third consecutive last-four appearance at Melbourne Park. Following his commanding quarter-final triumph, Sinner admitted, “I was struggling. We go day by day.”
Citing a psychological boost derived from his earlier victory over compatriot Lorenzo Sonego, he noted, “Today I felt I was moving a little bit better; I felt I recovered physically again,” expressing delight at reaching the semi-finals of the season’s opening major.
Sinner also commended Shelton’s formidable serve, describing the American as an increasingly challenging opponent who consistently evolves his game. “It is very tough to play against Ben. He has a huge, huge serve, and I feel like he is improving so much year after year, especially after the off-season,” he remarked.
When discussing how he manages to return such powerful deliveries, Sinner provided a modest explanation: “Honestly, I don’t know. It’s just instinct and not always the power matters.” He acknowledged that Shelton’s left-handed delivery presents a rare challenge on tour, adding, “We don’t have many lefties in our game, so it is definitely one of the toughest challenges to return his serve.”
Sinner will now face Djokovic after the Serbian progressed in fortunate circumstances when Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire through injury. Musetti had been leading two sets to love, seemingly on course to eliminate the 24-time Grand Slam champion, when an unexpected injury arose, compelling him to withdraw.
Despite Djokovic’s unconvincing route to the last four, Sinner insisted he would approach the contest with full respect for his opponent. “These are the moments you practice for. You wake up in the morning and look forward to playing a good match,” he declared, adding, “If you want to win, you have to play at your best.”
Reflecting on the significance of facing Djokovic, he acknowledged the valuable lessons learned from past encounters. “It doesn’t really matter the result. It improves you as a person,” he said, while ensuring that the unparalleled excellence of Djokovic remains a central focus: “We are still lucky to have Novak here playing incredible tennis at his age.”
Regarding the other semi-final between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, Sinner noted that players must concentrate on their own preparations when competing concurrently. “It is hopefully going to be a great couple of semi-finals,” he concluded.
In sport, as in life, facing great adversaries like Djokovic only sharpens the resolve and skill of rising stars, leading to moments that could define careers. As anticipation builds, the clash promises to be not just a contest of tennis, but a showcase of evolution within the sport itself.
