“That bitter memory will return”: Toni Nadal ranks Novak Djokovic ahead of Jannik Sinner for Wimbledon title
ATP
Rafael Nadal's former coach, 'Uncle Toni', believes that Novak Djokovic has a better chance of winning Wimbledon than the current World No. 1, Jannik Sinner. The ex-coach of the now-retired Rafa alluded to Djokovic's experience, positioning him as the second main contender for the title after Carlos Alcaraz.
For now, both Djokovic and Sinner are still in the running and will return to the court this Monday for the fourth round. The Italian faces Bulgaria's Grigor Dimitrov (19th seed), while Nole will take on Alex De Minaur (11th seed), whom he was supposed to meet in the quarterfinals last year, but an injury forced the Australian to withdraw.
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Both players are on the same side of the draw and could potentially face each other in the semifinals. Furthermore, they had a recent encounter a month ago in the Roland Garros semifinals, where Sinner secured a comfortable straight-sets victory.
However, in a recent interview with El País, Toni Nadal suggested that on the grass courts of SW19, things could change in favor of the veteran Serb. "[Djokovic] carries a well-deserved reputation as a tireless fighter attached to his tall frame, something that should never be forgotten. And his 38 years of age, rather than indicating that he doesn’t have many opportunities left to increase his trophy cabinet, could become a real incentive for his feisty character.”
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“Although it’s clear that Novak is far from his best form these days, I think if he manages to progress through the rounds, he could be the second contender with the best chance of winning the title.”
Nadal also considered that Sinner faces a tough emotional challenge in trying to move past his painful defeat in the French Open final. On that occasion, Sinner squandered three match points and ended up losing in the fifth-set tie-break of a 5 1/2-hour final – the longest in Roland Garros history and the second-longest in a Grand Slam.
"As for the Italian player, it remains to be seen whether his painful defeat on June 8 in Paris can influence his upcoming challenges,” mentioned Uncle Toni. “It’s hard to believe that recent, bitter memory won’t return to Sinner’s mind, but we can never completely rule out, as is the case with great players, that he will bring out that best version of himself.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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