(Wimbledon) Novak Djokovic paid Carlos Alcaraz quite a compliment.
Before they meet in the men’s singles final of the Wimbledon Tennis Open on Sunday, Djokovic was asked to assess Alcaraz, and he compared his young opponent to himself.
It’s still not trivial.
“He’s been incredibly successful in adapting to the surfaces, demands and challenges of his opponents depending on the circumstances,” Djokovic said.
PHOTO: KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Novak Djokovic
“I consider it a great character trait, a great virtue. I consider this to be one of my greatest strengths throughout my career, that I have been constantly able to develop, adapt and adjust my game based on the challenges at hand. This is what he does very early in his career. »
And the evaluation of Djokovic by Alcaraz?
“He has no weaknesses. He is a complete player. He is remarkable. He does nothing wrong on the court,” Alcaraz listed.
Physically he is a beast. Mentally he is a beast. Everything about him is amazing.
Carlos Alcaraz, on Novak Djokovic
Undoubtedly, the duel to come on the center court of the All England Club to close the fortnight is the one that the two men have been waiting for. Like almost everyone.
What more can tennis fans ask for?
“He is very motivated. He’s young. He is hungry,” observed Djokovic. “I’m hungry too; so let’s treat ourselves to a feast. »
This confrontation pits Djokovic, 36, one of the greatest players of all time – many consider him THE greatest – against a new rising star, Alcaraz, 20.
It is the biggest age gap between two Grand Slam finalists since 1974. And with a victory, Djokovic will become the oldest male champion at Wimbledon in the professional era, born in 1968.
Alcaraz is ranked number 1, Djokovic number 2, but the latter has spent more weeks in the top spot than anyone else, male or female.
PHOTO SEBASTIEN BOZON, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Carlos Alcaraz
They showed they were above the fray with three-set wins in Friday’s semifinals.
Alcaraz left third-seeded Daniil Medvedev no chance, beating him 6-3, 6-3, 6-3; Djokovic had some tough moments to go through, but he took down eighth-seeded Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4).
Medvedev went so far as to classify Alcaraz in the category of the big three of men’s tennis: Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
“He’s a bit like them,” Medvedev said.
Djokovic has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, more than any other man in the more than 100-year history of tennis. On Sunday, he will aim for his eighth Wimbledon singles title, which would tie the tournament record for men, and his fifth in a row.
Alcaraz is a generational talent, the first teenager to complete a year at the top of the ATP rankings. He won the US Open last year and will look for a second major title on Sunday.
Also, it will be a rematch of the French Open semi-final last month. The first two sets of this match were delightfully entertaining, filled with killer blows on either side.
It was tense. It was tight. It was great.
And then it all came crashing down when Alcaraz succumbed to full-body cramps that he attributed, at least in part, to nervousness about facing Djokovic on this stage and with this stake. Djokovic won the victory by winning the last two sets by identical scores of 6-1.
“We had a very good game until he started having physical difficulties in Paris,” Djokovic confirmed.
“We really raised the level of tennis. I think it was great for the audience and for us players to be a part of that. »
Unsurprisingly, Alcaraz wants another opportunity to face Djokovic. He’s been talking about it for a fortnight.
It gives you extra motivation. It’s more special to play a final against a legend of our sport.
Carlos Alcaraz, on Novak Djokovic
“If I win, that would be amazing for me — not just to win a Wimbledon title, but to do it against Novak, that would be super special. »