ATP Tour

Kecmanovic recalls 2019 meeting with ‘quiet, shy’ Sinner ahead of Wimbledon clash

In Milan, nearly seven years ago, there were only hints of what was coming.

The autumn air around the 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals carried the usual promise of the event: tennis’ brightest young names gathered in one place, each chasing the idea that they might be next. Among them was an 18-year-old Jannik Sinner, slight in frame, quiet by nature and, at the time, the lowest-ranked player in the field.

There was little to suggest that by week’s end, he would leave with the trophy.

Sinner had enjoyed prior success in 2019, winning two ATP Challenger titles and collecting seven tour-level victories, including one at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome. But he arrived in Milan still more prospect than certainty. Around him were players with greater experience and, at the time, bigger profiles: Alex de Minaur, Frances Tiafoe, Casper Ruud, Ugo Humbert and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

As the week unfolded, though, attention gradually shifted.

With the Italian crowd packing Allianz Cloud Arena each night and increasingly getting behind their home favourite, one player who had a close-up view of Sinner’s rise was Miomir Kecmanovic. The Serbian shared the locker room with Sinner that week before later facing him in the semi-finals.

"I remember we had fun as a group that week and I remember Jannik there,” Kecmanovic told ATPTour.com on media day at Wimbledon. “I didn't really talk to him that much, because he was more to the side. He was slightly shy and I think he must have been one of the youngest there. He kept himself quite to himself but on court he made an impression straight away.

“I just remember the group having a really great time and we had some fun experiences. But he was calm and quiet and I remember then losing to him in I think the semi-finals. Since then and that win, he has done crazy, crazy things. You knew he had potential but to do what he has done; you would never actually believe that if you were told that then. Everything that he has achieved since has been amazing."

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Seven years later, their careers have taken different paths.

Sinner has gone on to win four major titles, become just the second player after Novak Djokovic to complete the Career Golden Masters by winning all nine ATP Masters 1000 events and spent 77 weeks at No. 1.

Kecmanovic, meanwhile, has still enjoyed his highlights. The 26-year-old Serbian has lifted ATP Tour trophies in Kitzbuhel and Delray Beach and climbed inside the Top 30.

On Monday, their paths will cross again when they meet for the fifth time in the first round at Wimbledon, with Sinner holding a 4-0 advantage in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

As defending champion, Sinner will open play on Centre Court, per the tournament tradition.

Standing outside Wimbledon’s broadcast centre on the eve of the Championships, with the immaculate grounds stretching out behind him, Kecmanovic was quick to laugh when asked about his reaction to seeing the draw.

“At the beginning, I was ready to go home,” Kecmanovic said with a smile. “It is a tough draw, I know that, you know that, but it will be an honour to play on Centre Court again and to test myself against the World No. 1. He did alright here last year, but I am happy to go out there and I will have some fun.”

Kecmanovic is no stranger to either Centre Court or facing the sport’s biggest names.

At Wimbledon in 2022, he met Novak Djokovic in the third round and lost to the eventual champion. In 2024 Sinner ended his run in the third round and last season, Djokovic again stood in his way.

“This is the lucky Slam for me,” Kecmanovic said sarcastically. “It is obviously tough to play them, and I have had tough draws. I haven’t really had any big chances in the past matches but it has always been a fun environment to be in and to play the guys who are legends of the sport is something I am thankful for. I am pleased to have another opportunity like this.”

Kecmanovic arrives in London after reaching the quarter-finals in Mallorca, where he earned two wins on grass. The challenge ahead, however, is significant. He has not taken a set in his past three meetings with Sinner and has suffered nine first-round defeats this season.

Sinner, by contrast, has lifted a Tour-leading five trophies in 2026, although he arrives at Wimbledon after a surprise second-round loss to Juan Manuel Cerundolo at Roland Garros following physical issues.

So where does Kecmanovic see his opportunity?

“I will go out with freedom and I know I just have to play the best level I can,” Kecmanovic said. “It is as simple as that. I will try to make him uncomfortable out there and it is also his first match here this year and first match on grass, so you hope he might not be at his best yet. I will see what happens.”

Relaxed by nature, Kecmanovic said little changes in his routine no matter who is waiting on the other side of the net. Before stepping onto Centre Court for the serious business on Monday afternoon, his plans remain simple.

“I try to be relaxed because it is nonstop on Tour,” Kecmanovic said. “It is important to completely switch off at times. I will go to the movies tonight in London, prepare as normal Sunday and then have a nice dinner with my team.”