Novak Djokovic refuses to answer Jannik Sinner’s question as he prepares for the clash | Tennis | sport

Novak Djokovic will play in just his second final of the year on Sunday as he seeks his 100th career title.

The 37-year-old will face world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the championship match at the Shanghai Masters.

But he refused to give his game plan before his eighth career meeting.

Djokovic will be looking for revenge when he faces Sinner on Sunday. The Serb leads their head-to-head 4-3 but has lost three of his last four matches, including their only previous meeting in 2024 – the Australian Open semi-final.

Sinner will also be the top-ranked and fittest player when he plays for the Shanghai Masters title. And Djokovic knows he will have to bring it if he wants to lift his fifth trophy at the tournament.

After booking his place in the final, the world No. 4 was asked what he should do against Sinner, but Sinner refused to give a straight answer. “Well, I’m not going to share it with you,” Djokovic replied.

“But like I said, he’s been in form the last 12 months, the best player in the world, incredible tennis, so consistent, and a player to beat, without a doubt, especially on hard court.

“He knows my game, I know his game. We haven’t played since Australia this year. Yeah, I’m hoping for the best, you know, I’m going to need my highest level to win.”

Djokovic has an extra motivation for the match: he is playing for his 100th career title. And the Serbian admitted he was hoping to achieve his historic goal in Shanghai.

He continued: “In China, it feels like destiny to fight for a 100th title here in a place where I have had great success in the past, where I have huge support.

“And very grateful, especially tonight, the atmosphere was electric, the people have supported me throughout. So, yeah, it’s great to play in this atmosphere, you know, and it gets me going and it motivates me to try even harder.

“Yeah, I’m in a great position to win the title, you know, fighting for my 100th title overall and my 41st Masters, against the best player in the world.”

But the 24-time Grand Slam champion is well aware that it will be a rare occasion when he is the underdog.

“I’m not going to be a favorite on the court, but hopefully I can come out physically fresh enough, you know, to challenge him for what might be, you know, the long game,” he said.

“I have to look forward to probably the toughest meet of the tournament, and I have to be ready for that, so I’m looking forward to a big challenge.”