Jannik Sinner has advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, but his participation in the upcoming match is uncertain due to an injury he sustained during his previous encounter. The 23-year-old Italian faced off against Grigor Dimitrov in a dramatic match that took an unfortunate turn when Dimitrov was forced to retire. At the time of the retirement, Sinner was trailing 3-6, 5-7, and was locked at 2-2 in the third set.
The circumstances were disheartening for both players and the spectators at the All England Club. Thousands of fans expressed their disappointment as they witnessed Dimitrov, 34, visibly emotional after what could have been a career-defining win.
Sinner also faced physical challenges throughout the match. Early on, he took a tumble while pursuing a ball, leading to what appeared to be an injury to his right elbow. He even took a medical timeout to address the issue and was seen frequently shaking out his arm, indicating discomfort. When the match concluded in his favor, Sinner acknowledged that it felt more like a hollow victory due to the injuries suffered.
Following the match, Sinner announced that he would undergo an MRI to determine the extent of his elbow injury, raising concerns that it may be serious. “It happened very early in the match. First game. It was quite an unfortunate fall,” he reflected. “I checked the videos a little bit, and it didn’t seem like a tough one, but I still felt it quite a lot, especially on the serve and forehand.”
Timing is crucial for Sinner, as he had recently parted ways with his long-time physiotherapist, Marco Panichi, and fitness trainer, Ulises Badio. However, he remains unfazed, expressing confidence in the medical team available at Wimbledon. He mentioned, “Here, they have good ATP physios, in any case. The doctor’s good. As I said, tomorrow we are gonna check with an MRI to see if there’s something serious, and then we’ll try to adjust it.”
During his post-match press conference, Sinner also acknowledged Dimitrov’s skill, particularly his serving prowess, which posed a significant challenge. The Bulgarian tallied an impressive 14 aces compared to only 4 from Sinner. He noted, “He served incredibly well. Very precise, also very fast. Changed up the game very, very good.”
Reflecting on the match dynamics after the roof closed, Sinner indicated that he stayed mentally focused and engaged despite the shifts in momentum, mentioning that there were strong rally exchanges at the beginning of the third set.
Looking ahead to his quarter-final matchup against Ben Shelton—another player known for his strong serve—Sinner is mindful of the challenges he will face. “Return of the serve, for sure, is the first thing. Obviously, he’s improved a lot from the back of the court,” Sinner remarked, referencing Shelton’s recent performances and their past encounter. “Let’s see what’s coming. It’s gonna be a problem in two days, no? Now I have to focus on other stuff first and hopefully be 100%.”
As Sinner navigates the uncertainties surrounding his health, the tennis world watches closely, eager to see if the reigning world No. 1 can rally in time for his next match.
