Jannik Sinner practiced with Novak Djokovic on Wimbledon Court 1 on Thursday. The Italian tennis player is set to defend his title at the tournament.
What happened?
Djokovic and Sinner completed an intense 45-minute practice session, following an earlier session featuring Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula.
The practice session came a day after Djokovic withdrew from the Giorgio Armani Classic, sparking concern about his fitness. Sinner, on the other hand, went ahead with his appearance at the Hurlingham Club, beating Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-3.
Why it matters for Jannik Sinner
Sinner will be looking to gain key insights from practicing with Djokovic, who is one of only three players to have beaten him this year. The Italian player is targeting his fifth Grand Slam title.
Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, is seeking his 25th Grand Slam win. He has played only four tournaments this year due to a nagging shoulder injury.
What comes next?
Sinner and Djokovic are part of an elite group of players who have been given early access to the tournament's top two courts. They will be looking to acclimatize to the conditions at SW19 ahead of the main draw.
The tournament's policy of preserving the grass surface has changed in recent years, with Center Court and Court No. 1 now available for practice before the start of the tournament. Sinner and Djokovic made full use of their early access to prepare for the tournament.
Sinner has historically struggled in extreme heat, but he used the conditions at the Hurlingham Club to gain valuable experience. He said, 'There was no wind at all, so it was maybe even warmer, but it's good. That's exactly what I need, a good preparation before starting the tournament.',
Djokovic's practice session with Sinner was a significant step in his preparation for the tournament. He will be hoping to turn his season around at Wimbledon, after a slow start due to injury.
The Serbian player has been working hard to regain his fitness, and practicing with Sinner will have given him a good test of his abilities. Sinner, on the other hand, will be looking to use the experience to his advantage as he defends his title.
The tournament is set to start soon, and Sinner and Djokovic will be among the top contenders. They will be looking to make a strong start to the tournament, and their practice session together will have given them a good idea of what to expect.
Sinner's title defense will be a key storyline at the tournament, and his practice session with Djokovic will have given him a good boost. He will be looking to use the experience to his advantage as he seeks to win his fifth Grand Slam title.