Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz is happy after his victory over Serbian Novak Djokovic Source: TASR/AP/Manu Fernandez
LONDON – Tennis Wimbledon will culminate on Sunday with the confrontation of today’s best tennis players. The winner of a record 23 Grand Slam titles and the reigning champion of Serbia, Novak Djokovic, will compete against the challenger and world number one Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, sixteen years younger, in a generational battle. The match will start on the grass center court from 15:00 CEST.
“This is probably the best final we could have had here. We’re both in form and playing very well. But I want to win this title and I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a challenge. The biggest challenge I could get at this moment.” Djokovic told journalists before the decisive duel.
The 36-year-old Serb is aiming for his fifth title in a row and eighth overall at the All England Club, which would tie the record of Swiss Roger Federer. He has lost only two sets so far in the tournament and extended his unbeaten streak at Wimbledon to 34 matches in a row. The last time he failed was in 2017, when he lost in the quarterfinals with Tomáš Berdych.
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The native of Belgrade can also confirm this year’s form and win the third Grand Slam title of the season after triumphing at the Australian Open and Roland Garros. With a possible 24th Grand Slam title, he would move his own record among men and equal the absolute maximum of the Australian Margaret Court.
“Maybe someone thinks that when I won Roland Garros and the 23rd Grand Slam that I was relieved. It’s not like that,” said Djokovic before the record 35th final at the “big four” tournament.
“It’s no secret that the Grand Slams are my priority. Every time I start the season, I want to be at the top in these tournaments. Until I lift the trophy above my head, my work is not over.” said Djokovic, who can win the seventh of the last eleven Grand Slam tournaments.
Photo gallery (3) Novak Djoković Source: SITA/AP/Alberto Pezzali
Alcaraz wants revenge
So far, he has a balanced score of 1:1 with Alcaraz. The young Spaniard and the winner of last year’s US Open wants to avenge Djokovic’s recent defeat in the semifinals of Roland Garros, when he paid for cramps in the third set and lost 3:6, 7:5, 1:6 and 1:6.
“I’ll try to go on the court not as nervous as I was at the French Open. I hope I don’t get cramps again during the finals,” wished Alcaraz, who dominated the Queen’s Club tournament before Wimbledon and did not lose 11 matches in a row.
On the way to the final, he knocked out the pair of Frenchmen Jérémy Chardy and Alexandre Müller, Chilean Nicolas Jarry, Italian Matteo Berrettini, Dane Holger Rune and Daniil Medvedev from Russia. The native of El Palmar also lost only two sets at the tournament.
“If I won, it would be amazing. Not only would I win Wimbledon, but I would also succeed against Novak, which would be special in itself. But I always say that if you want to be the best, you have to beat those of the best. Novak is one of them,” said Alcaraz, who is gunning for a second Grand Slam title.
Photo gallery (3) Carlito’s joy Source: SITA/AP/Alberto Pezzali
The fight for the title and the tennis throne
Even Djokovic, who hasn’t lost on center court for ten years, knows the motivation behind his final run. “Carlos is very motivated. He is young and hungry for success. But so am I. So we will have a feast,” Djokovic added.
Sunday’s final will also be a direct battle for the position of world number one. If Alcaraz wins, he will stay in the lead. Otherwise, Djokovic will replace him at the highest level. The winner of the singles will receive £2.35 million, the losing runner-up will receive half the amount.
Author: © List VIDEO: YouTube/Tennis Conference, The Tennis Corner Source: CTK
2023-07-16 03:50:15
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