Apart from a fourth-round blip where he trailed Grigor Dimitrov two-sets-to-love before the Bulgarian retired due to injury, Sinner has dominated. He surrendered just 17 games to reach the fourth round, then outplayed Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals to set up a second straight major semifinal against 38-year-old Djokovic.
Djokovic, the second-oldest Wimbledon men’s semifinalist in the Open era, was physically diminished after a nasty fall in his quarterfinal win over Flavio Cobolli. But he tipped his hat to Sinner, describing the Italian as too strong in another great performance.
“I think I will give a slight edge to Carlos as a favourite [in the final] because of the two titles he’s won here and the way he’s playing and the confidence he has right now,” Djokovic said.
“But it’s just a slight advantage because Jannik is hitting the ball extremely well.”
Sinner and Alcaraz, the world’s top two, are the first two players since Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in 2008 to meet in the Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals in the same year.
Regardless of who wins, they will have combined to win the past seven major titles dating back to Australian Open 2024; only two other duos have combined to win more consecutive men’s majors in the Open era.
Sinner, the reigning US and Australian Open champion, has the opportunity to hold three of the sport’s four major titles and would put himself three quarters of the way to a career Grand Slam.
The fact the achievement would come against his toughest opponent and greatest rival so far would make it all the more special.