If Novak Djokovic is going to add to his record haul of grand slam titles at Wimbledon in 2025, he’ll potentially have to overcome No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner, defending champion and No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz, and an injury suffered in the final moments of his latest match.
Djokovic fell to the grass at Wimbledon in pain and discomfort after winding up in an awkward splits position during the final game of his quarterfinal win over No. 22 seed Flavio Cobolli on Wednesday, July 9. Djokovic finished the final two points of the match, but admitted afterward that he didn’t know yet how much damage might have been done to his hip or groin region.
‘The real impact or effect of what happened, I will feel tomorrow,’ Djokovic said on Wednesday. ‘So let’s see.’
Here’s the latest news on Djokovic’s status ahead of his much-anticipated Wimbledon semifinal against No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner on Friday.
Is Novak Djokovic playing Friday in Wimbledon semifinals?
As of Thursday afternoon, Djokovic is still scheduled to face No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner in one of two Wimbledon semifinals for the men’s singles bracket.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner indicated after his dangerous misstep that he planned to play his semifinal match on Friday. The outlook became a bit more concerning Thursday, however, when Djokovic canceled a scheduled practice session, according to multiple reports.
“It was a nasty fall. It was very awkward,” Djokovic said in his news conference after the quarterfinals. “That happens on grass. I’ve had quite a few of those throughout my grass-court career. Obviously, [my] body is not the same today like it was before. … I’m hoping the next 24, 48 hours, the severity of what happened is not too bad, that I’ll be able to play at my best and free of pain.”
Novak Djokovic injury update
Djokovic suffered the apparent injury in the final game of the fourth set during his quarterfinal win over Cobolli. He got caught wrong-footed on the baseline during a rally and did the splits as he attempted to retrieve a shot by Cobolli.
Djokovic lay on the turf of Centre Court for several seconds before standing and stretching his legs. Cobolli retrieved Djokovic’s racket for him, crossing the net in a sign of sportsmanship that received a standing ovation from the Wimbledon crowd. Djokovic then served out the final two points to clinch the win.
The 38-year-old Djokovic said he has about 10 people working for him each day on ‘preparation and recovery,’ and noted all the hours ‘spent off the court, in the gym or on the table just trying to work with what I have,’ given his age.
But Djovokic is motivated by the chance to face Sinner, who beat him in the French Open semifinals last month. Djokovic is seeking his eighth Wimbledon title, but hasn’t won since 2022 after losing in the final to Alcaraz in back-to-back years.
“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,’ Djokovic said of Sinner, who is playing through an elbow injury. “I couldn’t ask for a bigger challenge for myself. I look forward to it. I’ll do my best to get ready and perform my best there.”