To be the best, you have to beat the best. Sure, it sounds cliche, but when Novak Djokovic’s path to Wimbledon history involves the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, you know the cliched saying becomes every bit true. For the tennis fans, it only means some iconic games on the card. But for Djokovic, the threat is very real. Taking on Jannik Sinner—who just dumped him out of the French Open last month— will be no picnic, and that’s what the Serbian is saying in his post-match interview after overcoming the quarter-final challenge.

The 7-time Champion had time to cover all the important aspects in his on-court interview – congratulating his quarterfinal opponent Flavio Cobolli, talking about his freaky fall at match point, pointing out the humor of being a 38-year-old man fighting with three 20-something ‘youngsters’ for the 2025 Wimbledon. And he talked about his upcoming semifinal opponent in the post-match presser, which The Tennis Letter shared on X.

The Serbian may still be the true comedian on the circuit, but he was also the first guy to acknowledge the truth. “I wasn’t joking actually. It’s facts. I’m way older than them,” Djokovic said. “I was also saying on court that that motivates me to see how much can I keep going with these guys toe to toe.” But his immediate next opponent will be a handful. Not every day that the 24-time Grand Slam Champion Novak Djokovic comes into a match and in front of him is a guy who can be best described as a machine known for his consistency, precision, and high quality.

Talking about the current World No. 1, the Serbian said, “I lost in straight sets to Jannik in the semis of Roland Garros. I think I played a solid match. I could’ve played better. But he was just a better player when the moments were important,” the 24-time GS Champion said.

He couldn’t stop praising his younger counterparts who have won the last 6 Majors. “Playing against the best player in the world right now.. him next to Alcaraz are the leaders of men’s tennis today.” And he knows it won’t be easy. The Gladiator is getting ready for a colossal battle on grass. “Hopefully I can deliver the level and be able to stay with him for potentially 5 sets,” said the 38-year-old. “It’s going to take the best of me at the moment to beat Jannik. I know that.”

Anything specific the Serbian machine will look to do to get the better of his younger adversary? Well, Djokovic knows Jannik Sinner is a complete package who will have so many ways to hurt Djokovic. The next two days will be preparations. “Getting myself physically and mentally in the right state so I can fight with him for as long as it’s necessary,” said the 7-time Wimbledon champ.

For the tennis lovers, these are the matches you live for. A clash that is making Novak Djokovic get as serious as he has ever been. Because even an injured Sinner is dispatching top players in straight sets.

Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic – 2 machines on the court

We know it all about Novak Djokovic and his routine precision, his athleticism, his endurance, and versatility. Replace the name with Jannik Sinner, and you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. Maybe that’s what will be most worrying for the Serbian – that he will be playing a younger him. So much respect he has for Sinner that he isn’t even thinking about the Italian’s elbow injury that happened 2 days ago on July 7.

When asked about how the SF match may be, given that the Serbian took a bad fall in the Cobolli match, and Sinner has a slight elbow issue, Djokovic shut down any kind of distracting speculation. “I don’t expect anything to be honest. I just try to focus on my recovery right now. Getting my body in shape for a very physical battle.”

And he ain’t wrong to do that. All the talk of Sinner being unfit, having a real problem for the Ben Shelton match, and that the American had a real chance to win. Well, the match started, and little by little, Shelton saw the tie get away from him. The first set went all the way 7-6 (2). Then the gap seemed to increase between the World No. 1 and No. 10. And this is despite Sinner seemingly feeling the discomfort in his elbow during the match.

Eventually, Sinner conquered his exuberant opponent, claiming the next 2 sets 6-4. Djokovic will have his work cut out, for sure. One motivation that will drive the 24-time Grand Slam Champion is that winning this will make him the player with the most Singles GS Champion. And if the 25th is this Wimbledon, then Novak Djokovic equals Roger Federer for the most Wimbledon titles ever. Lots to play for the 38-year ‘old’ man. Catch every key moment from the Championships as it happens.