Jannik Sinner injury concern as world No 1 in limbo ahead of next Wimbledon match
Jannik Sinner underwent a scan on his injured arm in London on Tuesday morning, but his team won’t make a decision until after he has tested his elbow later in the day.
The world No 1 flirted with a fourth-round exit from Wimbledon as he was stunned in the opening two sets by an inspired Grigor Dimitrov on Centre Court, but the Bulgarian then suffered a heartbreaking injury at 2-2 in the third set and was forced to retire.
Sinner himself took a tumble early in the match as he landed awkwardly on his arm and required treatment, but he managed to continue playing.
He was outplayed by Dimitrov for most of the two and a half sets before bad luck ended the 19th seed’s campaign with the score 6-3, 7-5, 2-2 in his favour.
When asked about the injury during his post-match press conference, Sinner replied: “It happened very early in the match, first game. Was quite [an] unfortunate fall. Checked the videos a little bit, and it didn’t seem tough one, but I still felt it quite a lot, especially serve and forehand.
“I could feel it. So let’s see. Tomorrow we are going to check to see how it is, and then we see.”
He underwent an MRI scan at 10am UK time on Tuesday morning, but Italian media have confirmed that his team won’t make the results public until he has had a light practice session.
The three-time Grand Slam winner was initially due to have a full practice session at 14:00 local time at the All England Club, but that was cancelled and he has instead booked a training court at Aorangi Park at 4pm.
If he comes through that session, then he is expected to be fit for the quarter-final clash against Ben Shelton on No.1 Court on Wednesday in what will be their seventh career meeting.
American Shelton, who defeated Lorenzo Sonego in four sets in the fourth round, has a 1-5 record against the Italian with his only win coming in their first-ever match in 2023.
Wimbledon News
Grigor Dimitrov extends unfortunate Grand Slam record with cruel Wimbledon retirement
Who is Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon quarter-final opponent? Rising star Flavio Cobolli
Sinner won their most-recent encounter in the semi-final of the Australian Open in straight sets, but the hard-hitting 22-year-old’s booming serve will no doubt be a big test for the top seed’s elbow if he is not 100 per cent fit.
The reigning Australian Open champion knows he will need to be ready for some booming serves when he faces Shelton.
“I mean, return of the serve, for sure, is the first thing. Obviously he has improved a lot in back of the court. He had a great match against Carlos [Alcaraz] in Paris, too,” he stated.
“He knows also how to play on every surface. I faced him last year here. Was a very, very difficult match. So let’s see what’s coming, but it’s going to be a problem in two days, no?
“Now I have to focus on other stuff first and hopefully be 100%.”
