Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic are set for an epic showdown in their Wimbledon semi-final on Friday with fans and pundits alike struggling to pick a winner. Djokovic suffered an injury scareas he advanced to the last four with a win over Italy's Flavio Cobolli, while Sinner also dealt with an elbow issue in his quarter-final victory against American Ben Shelton.

Sinner is the current world No.1 but is yet to reach a Wimbledon final, as opposed to Djokovic, who is aiming to equal Roger Federer's record of eight men's singles titles at the All England Club. One more Grand Slam championship would see Djokovicclaim the outright title record he shares with Margaret Court (24). Sinner could be the man to dash the Serbian's dreams once more, having won each of their last four encounters, including the French Open semi-final last month. However, despite Djokovic's pedigree and longevity, Sinner feels his opponent, who has often been booed at SW19, remains misunderstood.

During a press conference at the French Open, Sinner was asked what he had learned from Djokovic and replied: "Many things because I was lucky enough to practice with him when I was very young. In Monaco, we practised a lot, and every time I asked questions, he answered me in a very honest way.

"I think it's very nice, and people don't see how he really is. I think people from the outside, people who don't know him, they have a different picture of him. It's not like that. He's a very kind person, he's very helpful in times when you need it and I've learned many things from him."

Sinner is not the first person to defend Djokovic's character. Tennis legend John McEnroe has often sided with the seven-time Wimbledon champion and accused the crowds at SW19 of making Djokovic the "villain". In the 2023 Wimbledon final, Djokovic blew kisses to the crowd, who had been cheering for eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.

"Novak has not only equalled them [Federer and Rafael Nadal] but surpassed them in overall achievements, which seemed impossible," McEnroe told the Metro. "Both of those guys, Rafa and Roger, they are total class acts. They are loved and respected around the world. Novak gets the unfair treatment. He's the villain, the bad guy. I think it's been unfair, honestly, because he is great for the game. On and off the court."

The uneasy dynamic between Djokovic and the Wimbledon crowd continued last year, with Djokovic believing fans had used his opponent Holger Rune's surname to jeer him. However, McEnroe once again stuck up for the veteran champion. "He's like the Darth Vader compared to two of the classiest acts we've seen play tennis - Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer," McEnore argued on BBC Sport.

"Who can compare to them in terms of what they brought to the table? Nobody - and then this guy Djokovic spoils the party. So then how about respecting him after all this? He's by far the guy who's taken the worst heat and that's why I would say he's the greatest that's ever played."

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Djokovic's arguably misunderstood nature led to accusations that he had purposefully instigated a feud with Sinner during the Australian Open. In a quick-fire word association game, Djokovic replied "skiing" when hearing Sinner's name, which some fans took to be a slight at the Italian's tennis accomplishments. Djokovic rejected the suggestion that he intended to insult the 23-year-old.

However, Djokovic showed his respect for Sinner during their semi-final clash at Roland Garros. The 38-year-old fumed at the umpire over what he perceived to be an incorrect call while trailing by two sets. When Sinner approached the line to inspect the ball marks himself, he appeared to tell Djokovic that the ball had gone out. Despite the point going against him, the Serbian's frustration instantly cooled, and the match continued.

In 2024, Djokovic's wife Jelena showed the lighter side of the two players' supposed rivalry after it was announced that two of her husband's former coaches, fitness coach Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio, had joined Sinner's team. Jelena jokingly suggested on social media that she would not be the next one to make the switch, replying: "I will not give in!!!"

Sinner currently leads Djokovic 5-4 in their head-to-head meetings, but the Italian is mindful of his defeat to the same opponent in the Wimbledon semi-finals two years ago. "Me and Novak, we know us better because we played quite a lot," Sinner said in his press conference. "So we understand what's working and what's not. But yeah, I've never won against him here in Wimbledon, so it's going to be a very, very tough challenge."

Meanwhile, Djokovic, who cancelled his practice session on Thursday due to a slight groin issue, admitted the tough challenge ahead of him following Sinner's victory in their last meeting. "I lost straight sets to Jannik in the semis of Roland Garros. I think I played a solid match," Djokovic explained. "I could have played better, but he was just better player when the moments were important. So I get another opportunity.

"For me, this is what counts actually the most... Being in the last stages of Grand Slams and playing against the best player in the world right now. Him next to [Carlos] Alcaraz are the leaders of the tennis today, men's tennis. Yeah, couldn't ask for a bigger challenge, for sure, for myself. I look forward to it. I'll do my best to get ready and perform my best there."