Novak Djokovic is chasing historical past whereas Carlos Alcaraz continues to put the inspiration for a altering of the guard when the pair meet once more within the Wimbledon males’s singles closing on Sunday.
Djokovic is looking for to win his twenty fifth Grand Slam title and surpass Margaret Courtroom to create the historic document for essentially the most Grand Slam titles.
The Serb’s victory would additionally see him equal Roger Federer’s all-time document of eight Wimbledon titles.
He’ll develop into the primary participant in historical past to win eight or extra singles titles at two totally different Grand Slam tournaments – including to his 10 Australian Open males’s singles titles up to now.
Throughout the web shall be a participant ushering in a brand new period in males’s tennis, with Alcaraz aiming for a fourth Grand Slam title from 4 finals.
He’s looking for to develop into the eighth participant in historical past to win the primary 4 Grand Slam males’s singles finals and the second participant within the Open period after Federer to win a Grand Slam closing.
Djokovic’s journey to profitable an elusive twenty fifth Grand Slam title this yr has not been straightforward – he’s nonetheless ready for a title in 2024 and was just lately hampered by a medial meniscus tear within the French Open quarter-finals .
He was examined within the second and third rounds, ultimately defeating British wildcard Jacob Fearnley and Australian Alexei Popyrin in 4 units earlier than resuming common play in opposition to Denmark’s Holger ·Run.
Throughout that match, he attacked the Wimbledon crowd, accusing a few of them of utilizing their “Ruuune” chants as an excuse to boo him.
Djokovic decided to not succumb to Carlos Alcaraz
An additional day of relaxation might need been welcome after a lot drama, as Alex de Minaur was pressured to withdraw from the quarter-finals earlier than a comparatively easy victory over Loren within the semi-finals Zo Musetti.
“He already beat me in an thrilling five-set match. I do not need something worse than that,” Djokovic mentioned after the semifinals.
“A tricky battle on the courtroom. He is as well-rounded a participant as they arrive, so I’ll be on the courtroom to the perfect of my means on Sunday to beat him.”
A win for Alcaraz would make him simply the second man within the Open period after Federer to win his first 4 Grand Slam finals
Alcaraz should have a protracted strategy to go earlier than reaching the dizzying Grand Slam heights of compatriots Rafael Nadal or Djokovic, however he is off to a superb begin.
Though he remained undefeated within the closing moments of the Grand Slam, he appeared to have introduced pointless challenges to his life on the best way to the ultimate.
He was outdistanced by Frances Tiafoe, however a lapse in focus noticed him advance to the ultimate stretch in 4 units.
Grass is a floor the place power must be conserved for doubtlessly heartbreaking rallies, particularly when Djokovic lingers on the baseline.
If he needs to develop into the ninth man within the Open Period to defend his Wimbledon title, and the sixth within the Open Period to win each Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the identical yr, he wants to search out one other stage.
“Clearly everybody is aware of Djokovic. He is been to a whole lot of Grand Slam finals and gained so much. It was a really troublesome event final yr. I might say he gave me actual bother,” Alcaraz mentioned Friday.
“I do know what it is prefer to play in opposition to Djokovic. I do know what I’ve to do. I am positive he is aware of what he has to do to beat me. It is going to be a really attention-grabbing sport.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra handy video participant
Teddy Draper explains why the 24-time Grand Slam champion is not as cherished and appreciated as different tennis legends
What’s coming to Sky Sports activities Tennis?
Please use Chrome browser for a extra handy video participant
Uncover all of the methods to observe tennis on Sky Sports activities, together with the US Open, ATP and WTA Excursions.
On the eve of the final Grand Slam of 2024, the US Open, you may watch all of tennis’s largest stars compete sky sports activities stay after they compete through the exhausting courtroom season.
- Hamburg Open (ATP 500) July 15-21
- Newport Corridor of Fame Open (ATP 250) July 15-21
- Swiss Open (ATP 250) July 15-21
- Bastad Open (ATP 250) July 15-21
- Palermo Girls’s Open (WTA 250) July 15-21
- Hungarian Grand Prix (WTA 250) July 15-21
- Prague Open (WTA 250) July 21-26
- Iasi Open (WTA 250) July 21-26
- Umag Open (ATP 250) July 21-26
Watch WTA and ATP Tour occasions all through 2024 on Sky Sports activities Tennis. Watch Sky Sports Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Monthly Membership. No contract, cancel anytime.
