"I still have a lot to improve" - Sinner after loss to Djokovic

Jannik Sinner has said there's a world of difference between facing Novak Djokovic in training and playing him in front of a packed crowd at Wimbledon.

Sinner, 20, started slowly on his Centre Court debut, falling 4-1 behind but took a stranglehold of the match by going two-sets-to-love up. However, with the Italian fading in the last three sets, Djokovic drew on his vast experience, dropping only eight games to reach his 11th Wimbledon quarterfinal. He likened his game to Djokovic's, having practiced with the Serb at Wimbledon to learn the nuances of grasscourt play.

He said:

I think we have a similar style of tennis. In the first days of competition, we were practicing together on the grass, and you always learn things from him. It's not the same when you play against him in a match of training than doing it in an official match and in a tournament like Wimbledon. You play in front of a lot of people, and that's special"

Despite his five-set defeat to Djokovic, Sinner chose to dwell on the positives, reflecting that he likes to challenge himself against the best players.

"Playing against players like Djokovic is great, because I'm a person who likes to challenge myself and likes to compete against the greatest. I train every day to play matches of this calibre. I know I still have a lot to improve, but I think I can be happy after the tournament I've done. I showed a good level of tennis.