Djokovic relishing Sinner test: “He is one of the fastest and strongest hitters in the world”

The world No 1 leads their head to head 3-0 but this will be the first time they have played on hard courts, while Sinner will have home support

Inside / Panoramic

Simon Cambers

November 14, 2023

Novak Djokovic is relishing the prospect of his clash with Jannik Sinner in the ATP Finals on Tuesday evening.

The world No 1 kick-started his bid to win the ATP Finals for a record seventh time with a typically hard-fought victory over Holger Rune on day one in Turin.

Now the 36-year-old will take on the home favourite, world No 4 Sinner, a man he knows well, having beaten him in all three of their previous meetings, including at Wimbledon in each of the past two years.

Day three at the #NittoATPFinals is upon us, featuring Djokovic vs Sinner 👀

Watch all the matches live: https://t.co/hOHmv2wMlX pic.twitter.com/WLwjq8cFQE
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 14, 2023

Djokovic on Sinner: “He’s playing the best tennis of his career”

None of those were on hard-courts, though, and Sinner, who has won titles in Beijing and Vienna lately, impressed in his opening win over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday, leaving Djokovic in no doubt that he should expect a tough match.

“Jannik obviously is in a great form,” Djokovic said. “He’s been playing maybe tennis of his life this year, best season of his career.

“Obviously playing at home with the Italian crowd helps a lot, boosts his confidence, give him in ha way wings to play his best tennis, which he did (on Sunday). I saw a little bit of his match against Tsitsipas. He played great, very solid, good serves.

“Jannik is one of the fastest and strongest hitters from the baseline out there in the world that we have, and have had for the last couple years. I know his game very well. I never lost to him, but we had some really close matches. Last time we played in semis of Wimbledon, obviously.”

Pressure off Djokovic after securing No 1

Any pressure Djokovic may have been feeling about trying to finish the year ranked No 1 is off his shoulders now, after his win over Rune, and the Serb said he was looking forward to another challenge.

“I’m going to obviously prepare myself well for the match,” he said. “I know what to expect. I can expect the highest of him with, of course, the support of the crowd.

“It’s going to be nice I think for the tournament, us facing each other. I think we are both in great form. Let’s see what happens.”