(VIDEO) The main contenders? Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic train together at Wimbledon Centre Court
ATPThursday, 25 June 2026 at 22:30
Just a few days before the start of Wimbledon, defending champion Jannik Sinner and seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic carried out their first training session on Centre Court at the All England Club. The only former champions in the draw, they both appear to be the main contenders for the title heading into the third Grand Slam of the year.
Both recently failed to reach the second week of Roland Garros, but there are few doubts about their status as favourites on the London grass. Sinner comes in on a run of five consecutive Masters 1000 titles, and his surprise defeat in the second round of Roland Garros seems more like an isolated incident due to the heat, rather than any concern about the Italian’s level.
The world No. 1 arrives as defending champion and without any grass warm-up tournaments, aside from a recent exhibition with Cameron Norrie. With the absence of his main rival Carlos Alcaraz — two-time champion and 2025 runner-up — things look ideal for Sinner to reclaim another Grand Slam title.
That is where Djokovic appears as a potential contender. Despite repeated setbacks in Grand Slam campaigns in recent years, Djokovic has won Wimbledon seven times and, between 2018 and 2024, posted a 40–2 record, reaching six consecutive finals. In 2025, he reached the semi-finals, only to fall to Sinner.
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Sinner vs Djokovic rivalry continues
While Sinner arrives as top seed, Djokovic will be seeded seventh in the draw. This means a potential Djokovic–Sinner clash could come as early as the quarter-finals, while the draw will be crucial for the Serbian’s chances of navigating a favourable path.
The 39-year-old has again opted not to play any official warm-up tournaments for Wimbledon, arriving directly in London to train on grass. He held his first session on Centre Court alongside Jannik Sinner in a high-level practice session shared widely on social media.
Djokovic has already shown he can still challenge Sinner, having beaten him in the Australian Open semi-finals earlier this season, before losing the final to Alcaraz. The Italian leads the head-to-head 6–5, having won five of their last six meetings.
Sinner & Djokovic all smiles practicing together! 😎
— janniksin archive (@sinnervideos) June 25, 2026
📲 Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/EOxl26zOBm
Djokovic vs Sinner H2H
| Year | Winner | Event | Round | Surface | Score |
| 2026 | Novak Djokovic | Australian Open | Semifinal | Outdoor Hard | 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 |
| 2025 | Jannik Sinner | Wimbledon | Semifinal | Outdoor Grass | 6-3 6-3 6-4 |
| 2025 | Jannik Sinner | Roland Garros | Semifinal | Outdoor Clay | 6-4 7-5 7-6(3) |
| 2024 | Jannik Sinner | Shanghai Masters | Final | Outdoor Hard | 7-6(4) 6-3 |
| 2024 | Jannik Sinner | Australian Open | Semifinal | Outdoor Hard | 6-1 6-2 6-7(6) 6-3 |
| 2023 | Jannik Sinner | Davis Cup Finals | Semifinal | Indoor Hard | 6-2 2-6 7-5 |
| 2023 | Novak Djokovic | ATP Finals | Final | Indoor Hard | 6-3 6-3 |
| 2023 | Jannik Sinner | ATP Finals (RR) | Round Robin | Indoor Hard | 7-5 6-7(5) 7-6(2) |
| 2023 | Novak Djokovic | Wimbledon | Semifinal | Outdoor Grass | 6-3 6-4 7-6(4) |
| 2022 | Novak Djokovic | Wimbledon | Quarterfinal | Outdoor Grass | 5-7 6-2 6-2 6-3 6-2 |
| 2021 | Novak Djokovic | Monte-Carlo Masters | Round of 32 | Outdoor Clay | 6-4 6-2 |
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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