Kecmanovic: "When I met Sinner, I never would have imagined he would reach this level"

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 29 Jun 2026 | 00.50

Miomir Kecmanovic talks about Sinner. Photo: gettyimages

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Miomir Kecmanovic will be the first opponent of Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon 2026. The Serbian cherishes a special memory of the Italian, as he was one of the first players on the tour to share a locker room with the San Candido native when he was still a teenager just starting to make his way among the elite.

The careers of both have taken very different paths since those 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals where they coincided and got to know each other quite well. While Jannik Sinner has conquered four Grand Slam titles, completed the Career Golden Masters, and solidified one of the most impressive dominances in recent tennis, Miomir Kecmanovic has built a much more discreet yet equally respectable trajectory.

ATP champion in Delray Beach and Kitzbühel, former Top-30 player and a regular competitor on the circuit, the Balkan player arrives in London aware that he faces one of the most challenging tasks possible. However, far from hiding, he asserts that he plans to enjoy an opportunity he considers a privilege.

Kecmanovic is amazed by Sinner's evolution

Few people witnessed as closely Jannik Sinner's first steps among the professionals as Miomir Kecmanovic did. They met at the 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals in Milan, a tournament that brought together several of the greatest talents of that generation. At that time, the Italian was the lowest-ranked player in the draw and still far from becoming the major star on the circuit that he is today.

"I remember that week perfectly. We had a lot of fun as a group, and I also remember Jannik. We didn't talk much because he was always a bit distant. He was quite shy, probably one of the youngest, and always very calm. But from the first moment, he impressed with how he played," Kecmanovic recalled in statements given to ATP.

That week ended precisely with a defeat of the Serbian to Sinner in the semifinals. Looking at it now, he acknowledges that no one could have imagined how far the Italian would go. "You knew he had a lot of potential, but if someone had told you then everything he was going to achieve, you wouldn't have believed it. Everything he has accomplished since then has been incredible," he stated.

Miomir Kecmanovic has struggled to live up to the expectations placed on him in Serbia

Kecmanovic's trajectory has never reached the heights that many predicted during his junior days, but it cannot be labeled a disappointment either.

The Serbian reached the top thirty in the world rankings, won the ATP titles in Delray Beach and Kitzbühel, and for several seasons was one of the most consistent players on the circuit. His tennis, based on solidity from the baseline, good mobility, and remarkable adaptability to different surfaces, has allowed him to remain among the regulars on the ATP circuit for years.

However, he has also lived alongside a particularly demanding generation. First, he had to make his way in the final years of the Big 3, and subsequently, he faced the emergence of figures like Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner himself, capable of monopolizing the big stages from a very young age.

He is now ranked 51st in the ATP rankings and arrives at Wimbledon after a season full of ups and downs, marked by nine first-round defeats. Nevertheless, the grass court swing has allowed him to regain some confidence due to the quarterfinals reached in Mallorca.

Kecmanovic acknowledges the impossible task of beating Sinner at Wimbledon

Fate dictated that his reward for that good result would be facing the reigning Wimbledon champion. Far from dramatizing the situation, Kecmanovic responded with the sense of humor that usually characterizes him. "At first, when I saw the draw, I was ready to go back home," he commented, amidst laughter.

Then came the more serious reflection. "It's a very tough draw, we all know that. But it's also an honor to play again on Center Court and test myself against the world number one. He won here last year, and it will be a fantastic experience."

It will not be the first time he faces a similar situation. Wimbledon has repeatedly reserved some of the toughest matchups for him. In 2022, he fell to Novak Djokovic, the champion of that edition. In 2024, he crossed paths with Sinner again, and last season it was once more Djokovic who ended his run.

"This must be my lucky Grand Slam," he joked ironically. "I always draw the best players. I've never had many chances, but playing against true legends in such an atmosphere is something I'm very grateful for. Having another opportunity like this is special."

Can Kecmanovic cause problems for Sinner?

The precedents do not exactly invite optimism. Sinner leads the head-to-head 4-0, and Kecmanovic has not managed to take a set in their most recent three encounters. Nonetheless, the Serbian believes there is a small opening to grasp.

"I will go out completely liberated. I just have to play at the highest level of which I am capable. I will try to make him uncomfortable. Additionally, it will be his first match of the year on grass and his Wimbledon debut this season, so you can always hope that he is not yet at his best. We will see what happens."

The theory is not unreasonable. Sinner lands in London after a surprising defeat at Roland Garros against Juan Manuel Cerúndolo and after grappling with some physical issues in recent weeks. Although he remains the clear favorite, every debut in a Grand Slam usually hides certain risks.

While many players drastically alter their routines before facing the best in the world, Kecmanovic prefers to maintain exactly the same habits. "I try to stay relaxed because the circuit never stops. It's important to completely disconnect from time to time." His plan before challenging the champion is quite simple. "I'll go to the movies tonight here in London, prepare for the match like any other Sunday, and then have a quiet dinner with my team."

Perhaps that naturalness explains much of his longevity on the circuit. Miomir Kecmanovic knows that the odds are clearly in Jannik Sinner's favor. He also knows that rarely does a player have the opportunity to open Center Court at Wimbledon against the reigning champion. That's why he approaches the match without pressure, ready to enjoy an arena reserved for a select few. And although the Italian's favoritism is unquestionable, the Serbian has demonstrated throughout his career that he never needs a perfect context to compete. On such an unpredictable surface as grass, that will be his main hope.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Kecmanovic: "Cuando conocí a Sinner, jamás habría imaginado que llegaría a este nivel"

Jannik Sinner