Djokovic Aims for Wimbledon Milestone as Sinner Faces Injury Concerns
As Wimbledon heats up, Novak Djokovic is poised to make history in his quarter-final match against Flavio Cobolli, while top seed Jannik Sinner confronts uncertainties over an elbow injury ahead of his clash with Ben Shelton.
Djokovic, a seven-time champion at Wimbledon, is on the verge of setting a new record for the most semi-final appearances in the tournament’s history. If he advances to the last four, it will be his 14th appearance, surpassing Roger Federer’s previous record. At 38 years old, Djokovic also aims to become only the second man in the Open era to reach a Wimbledon semi-final at that age, following Ken Rosewall’s achievement in 1974.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is not just chasing records; he is within two victories of breaking his tie with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam singles titles, a significant milestone that adds pressure as he seeks to extend his remarkable run at Wimbledon.
Djokovic’s journey this year has been marked by personal moments, including watching his son, Stefan, practice with Cobolli. “They hit a few days ago. He has everyone’s signature, except mine. But that’s okay,” Djokovic joked, expressing his delight at the budding friendship between the two young players.
On the other hand, Sinner’s path to the quarter-finals has been fraught with challenges. The Italian star injured his right elbow during a fourth-round match against Grigor Dimitrov, raising fears that he might have to withdraw from the tournament. Sinner was trailing by two sets when Dimitrov retired due to a pectoral injury. Following the match, Sinner canceled a practice session after undergoing an MRI scan.
Sinner is set to face American 10th seed Shelton, who is eager to reach his third Grand Slam semi-final at just 22 years old. The young Italian, who has never made it to a Wimbledon final, is aiming to become the first Italian player to reach the last four multiple times at the All England Club.
In the women’s draw, Mirra Andreeva, the youngest Wimbledon quarter-finalist since 2007, is making waves under the guidance of former champion Conchita Martinez. She faces off against Belinda Bencic, who is having a remarkable tournament just over a year after giving birth. Bencic, a former Olympic champion, is determined to fight for victory despite the challenges of motherhood.
Five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek is also in the spotlight as she looks to conquer her past struggles on grass. She faces Russian world number 19 Liudmila Samsonova, a player who has found success on the surface.
