Former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic was left dumbfounded during an iconic Wimbledon duel against Jannik Sinner. So much so that the Serb dropped to his knees in amazement after being penalised by the umpire.
It was back in 2023 that the seven-time Wimbledon champion took on Sinner in the semi-finals at SW19. He was already up by a set and a break when the official docked Djokovic a point for excessive grunting. Djokovic, 38, sent a backhand down the line when he let out what appeared to be a delayed cry just as Sinner was about to return the ball. Umpire Richard Haigh adjudged the shout to be unlawful, and it was clear that Djokovic was thrown off by the whole debacle. The veteran dropped to his haunches and looked wide-eyed as he looked to his coaches’ box and back to the official. He then made his way over to Haigh’s chair as he asked: “What are you doing?”
It didn’t hinder him from rallying to see out a straight-sets win and set up a Wimbledon final against Carlos Alcaraz. Fast forward two years, and Sinner got his revenge on Friday, beating Djokovic in straight sets to tee up his own Wimbledon decider against Alcaraz on Sunday.
In the umpire’s defence, Djokovic’s grunt seemed somewhat unnatural in that his strike of the ball was well over by the time he made any noise. However, pundits were largely in agreement the call was a strange one.
“Horrible, horrible call,” said John McEnroe on BBC commentary at the time. “Sinner’s ball went back in court and dropped foot from baseline. How much of a hindrance could it have been?
“It is one thing if Sinner lifts his game, that’s great, but not when the umpire gets in the middle of it. Obviously, this umpire wanted his name in the paper. Fortunately, Novak held. It would have been a shame.”
British tennis star Liam Broady took to social media and dubbed the decidion “horrendous.” American Taylor Fritz said Djokovic wasn’t a suspect who came to mind but called on umpires to call out extended and suspiciously timed grunts more.
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“So rarely do you see a hindrance,” said British tennis icon Tim Henman on the BBC. “Sometimes in doubles if they are talking you might get it, but in a situation like this, in the semis of a Grand Slam, it was so unexpected.”
There were no such controversies apparent in Friday’s semi-final rematch between Djokovic and Sinner. Instead, the Italian made a clean getaway and was the deserved victor in the face of stiff opposition.
He’ll face off against Alcaraz on Centre Court come Sunday as he makes his Wimbledon final debut. The Italian has made it to the last stage of every major thus far in 2025 but has an axe to grind against Alcaraz after losing to the Spaniard in the French Open finale.