S Poddar
Novak Djokovic faces Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon men’s singles final, with history at stake. Djokovic, aiming to match Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles, could also achieve a record 25th Grand Slam singles victory on Sunday. At 37, he recently underwent knee surgery but remains tied with Margaret Court at 24 singles majors.
Djokovic acknowledges the weight of expectations and the motivation that comes with such a significant milestone. He reflects on the unique pressure and inspiration that Wimbledon evokes, driving him to deliver his best performance.
This eagerly anticipated final is a rematch of last year’s five-set thriller, where Alcaraz emerged victorious after an intense four-hour, 42-minute battle. The match will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app, starting at 14:00 BST.
Throughout this year’s tournament, Djokovic has had a complex relationship with the Wimbledon crowd. He faced mixed reactions, including boos during his fourth-round win against Holger Rune, where he felt the crowd’s chants were a pretext for hostility. In contrast, his light-hearted violin celebration after his semi-final victory, intended for his daughter Tara, was also met with some disapproval. Despite these moments, Djokovic has shared endearing moments with his family, playing tennis with his children on the practice courts.
Despite a slow start to 2024, with no titles won and this being his first final since November’s ATP Finals, Djokovic has regained form at Wimbledon, losing just two sets in six matches. Reflecting on his knee surgery in June, he expressed his determination to participate in Wimbledon, making a significant effort to recover in time.
Carlos Alcaraz, aiming to maintain his unbeaten record in Grand Slam finals, overcame a nervous start in last year’s final to defeat Djokovic in five sets. Now a three-time major champion at 21, Alcaraz could become the youngest back-to-back Wimbledon winner since Boris Becker in 1986. Despite his swift rise, Alcaraz remains grounded, focusing on his hard work and achievements rather than the pressure of succeeding Djokovic as the next tennis superstar.
Alcaraz’s journey to this year’s final was not without challenges. He narrowly avoided an upset against Frances Tiafoe and dropped sets against Ugo Humbert, Tommy Paul, and Daniil Medvedev. Despite these hurdles, he enjoys immense support from the crowd and looks forward to continuing his impressive Wimbledon streak.
As the final approaches, Alcaraz remains focused on the task at hand, even amidst the excitement of Spain’s Euro 2024 final against England. He hopes to keep his mind on the court and leave everything in the match against Djokovic.
