Wimbledon winner identifies way Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner are similar

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Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner post-match hug
Italy's Jannik Sinner, right, embraces Serbia's Novak Djokovic

Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek has assessed that Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner are “two different players” but feels there is a similarity between the pair. 

The former world No 4 thinks Djokovic and Sinner both possess accurate serves that help them when required and that they also have “such solid fundamentals.”

Sinner defeated Djokovic in four sets in the semi-finals of the 2024 Australian Open last month en route to claiming his maiden Grand Slam title.

The 22-year-old Italian has been compared to Djokovic by some analysts given the pair are both such complete players and are dominant from the baseline off both sides. The duo are also renowned for their movement and ability to slide on court.

Djokovic holds a 4-3 head-to-head record against Sinner, although the world No 1 has lost three of his last four clashes with his young rival.

READ MORE: Two big changes that helped Jannik Sinner open up an advantage on Novak Djokovic

In an interview with Ubitennis, Krajicek discussed the improvement of Sinner’s serve and likened the Italian to his Serbian counterpart in this area of his game.

“I needed to have a great serve to make up for the weakness of the other shots, I was fine at the net but my backhand wasn’t great and neither was my mobility. I moved reasonably well for my height, but I certainly wasn’t the fastest on the pitch,” the Dutchman explained.

“For Sinner, however, having a great serve is an extra: he moves very well and has excellent and solid groundstrokes. However, now the service, when he needs it, is there.

“Even Djokovic, when he needs the serve, has it, but he doesn’t stand there hitting a hundred aces a game. He puts it in the important places, like Sinner… Simply, when you have such solid fundamentals, you don’t need it.

“Furthermore, physically, the stress and strain on the shoulder is enormous and therefore the career is probably longer for players who are not “big servers”, you don’t have that pressure of having to ace at every point.

“I think they are two different players. I don’t play against him (Sinner) so I can’t say because I don’t feel the ball, but from what I see on TV I can say that the three players who hit the hardest are Alcaraz, Sinner and Rublev.”

Krajicek is the tournament director of the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam, a role he has performed since 2004. The 52-year-old won 17 ATP titles during a career that spanned from 1989 to 2023.

READ MORE: ‘To beat my record, it will take Jannik Sinner two lifetimes’, says Italian tennis legend

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