Novak Djokovic comments about Carlos Alcaraz speak volumes ahead of Wimbledon final | Tennis | Sport
Novak Djokovic showed his class as he talked up Carlos Alcaraz ahead of their Wimbledon final rematch. The Spaniard stunned the 24-time Grand Slam champion in last year’s championship match.
The world No. 2 is now out for revenge after Alcaraz ended his nine-year unbeaten run on Centre Court.
But he knows that it will be a big ask to beat the third seed in a Major final. Djokovic showed just how much he respects Alcaraz by branding his opponent one of the “greatest 21-year-olds” the sport has seen.
Djokovic reached his first final of the season by beating Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 7-6(2) 6-4. It’s a remarkable effort from the 37-year-old who had meniscus surgery five weeks ago and has been competing in The Championships wearing a knee brace.
The seven-time champion at SW19 will meet a familiar opponent in Sunday’s final – the man who beat him at the same stage in 2023. And Djokovic piled the praise on Alcaraz as he shared what he truly thinks of the three-time Grand Slam winner during his on-court interview.
Asked whether he will reverse the result of last year’s final, the 37-year-old laughed: “Well I hope so! I’m sure he doesn’t hope so.” Djokovic then turned his attention to Alcaraz, who recently won the French Open title.
He continued: “He’s a great example of someone who as a young player has a well balanced life on and off the court. Great team of people, great values in his family, a lot of charisma, carries himself very well on and off the court with a smile and that’s why people like him.
“He’s deservedly one of the greatest 21-year-olds we’ve ever seen in this sport. We’re going to see a lot of him for sure in the future – no doubt. He’s going to win many more Grand Slams.”
But Djokovic is hoping that those extra Slams will wait, and that he can get the better of the Spaniard come Sunday. “Hopefully in two days maybe not this one! But in future, when I retire in about 15 years! I’m joking, I’m joking,” he smiled.
Despite messing around, the 24-time Major champion knows that facing Alcaraz is no laughing matter. He concluded: “Jokes aside he already beat me here in the Wimbledon final last year in a thrilling five-setter.
“I don’t expect anything less than that. Honestly a huge battle on the court. He’s as complete a player as they come. It’s going to take the best of my abilities on the court overall to beat him on Sunday.”
In that five-setter, Alcaraz recovered from a poor opening set to win 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 6-4. He was 20 years old at the time and it was his second of three Grand Slam title wins.
