Djokovic and Sinner set for Wimbledon semi-final showdown as women’s finalists are decided

Has anyone else noticed how hurting yourself somewhere, anywhere on your body, makes you realise how important that injured, painful, hurting digit is to your overall wellbeing?

Hurt a pinkie, and you suddenly learn how often you use it. A toothache helps you discover how often you bite “there”. A twinge in the back or any other muscle gives you a sense of how important that particular muscle or tendon is to your overall mobility.

Now imagine yourself as an elite athlete that depends on a fully functional body in order for you to operate optimally; what happens when you twinge something?

I guess that’s where mental fortitude comes in handy. And mental fortitude has been on display at Wimbledon as the men’s semi-final line-up takes shape.

Yes, Wimbledon 2025 is starting to resemble a battle of resilience as much as skill – and the walking wounded are still walking tall.

Physical concerns

Both Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner progressed to the final four on Wednesday, but not without physical concerns. Djokovic took a nasty slip on match point during his win over Flavio Cobolli, while Sinner came into his match nursing a right elbow issue that had raised doubts earlier in the week.

Now, the two will meet in Friday’s men’s semi-final, with Djokovic chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and Sinner hoping to become the first Italian to win a Wimbledon singles crown. It remains to be seen whether experience or youth – or simply whoever holds together physically, or mentally, or both – will prevail.

Djokovic needed four sets to see off a spirited Cobolli in what became his record 14th semi-final at the All England Club. Despite some early frustrations and a dropped first set, the 38-year-old Serb found his rhythm to control the match. He now sits two wins away from matching Roger Federer’s all-time men’s record of eight Wimbledon titles.

Sinner, meanwhile, shrugged off concerns about his fitness to put in a polished performance against Ben Shelton. Wearing a protective sleeve on his right arm, the world No.1 served superbly and broke at key moments to close out a straight-sets win. His decision to play, wearing an arm brace, despite lingering discomfort, now looks vindicated.

Women march on

Meanwhile, over in the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek powered into her first Wimbledon final on Thursday, sweeping aside Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic 6-2, 6-0 in a ruthless display that confirmed her growing comfort on grass. The world number one, already a five-time Grand Slam champion, has made no secret of her ambition to conquer all surfaces – and now stands one match away from completing her breakthrough at the All England Club.

Swiatek will face Amanda Anisimova, who earlier pulled off the upset of the tournament by defeating top seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a high-octane semi-final. The 23-year-old American showed nerves of steel and attacking intent to outplay her more experienced opponent and book her first appearance in a Grand Slam final.

Anisimova’s victory continued her strong record against Sabalenka – now 6-3 in her favour – and kept American hopes alive of a Wimbledon title. With Madison Keys winning the Australian Open and Coco Gauff claiming the French Open, Anisimova is bidding to become the third American woman to win a major this year.

Saturday’s showdown promises a compelling clash of styles: Swiatek’s clinical precision and defensive prowess against Anisimova’s power-driven aggression. If Anisimova wins, she will be the first American woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to lift the Wimbledon trophy.