What’s going to the 2024 Wimbledon last do for an encore? It should produce one thing particular if it desires to equal final yr’s festivities.
It will likely be the identical two gamers, too, as Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will as soon as once more sq. off on the All-England Membership. Alcaraz prevailed 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 within the 2023 championship match final summer time for the second of his present haul of three main titles.
Djokovic, nevertheless, owns a 3-2 lead within the head-to-head sequence. He has received two in a row at Alcaraz’s expense since their showdown in London final summer time. The 24-time slam champion received an epic 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(5) showdown within the Cincinnati Masters last and cruised 6-3, 6-2 on the Nitto ATP Finals.
“Final yr it was a extremely troublesome match,” Alcaraz mentioned of the ’23 Wimbledon last. “He put me in [real] bother. However, yeah, I understand how it’s going to really feel enjoying in opposition to Djokovic. I’ve performed (him a) few occasions in Grand Slams, last of (a) Masters 1000, a number of occasions in opposition to him. I do know what I’ve to do. I’m certain he is aware of what he has to do to beat me. It’s going to be a extremely attention-grabbing one.”
Now halfway by means of the 2024 marketing campaign, Djokovic is exhibiting few–however some–indications of slowing down at 37 years previous. He stays one of many three greatest gamers on the earth (together with Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner) by a substantial margin however has not but received a title this whole season. Djokovic is one win away from ending the drought following victories over Vit Kopriva, Jake Fearnley, Alexei Popyrin, Holger Rune, and Lorenzo Musetti.
In contrast to Djokovic, Alcaraz–when wholesome–has been rolling this yr. The Spaniard lifted La Coupe des Mousquetaires at Roland Garros and is on the precipice of back-to-back Grand Slam triumphs. His newest run in SW19 has come on the expense of Mark Lajal, Aleksandar Vukic, Frances Tiafoe, Ugo Humbert, Tommy Paul, and Daniil Medvedev.
“He stunned I feel all of us final yr the best way he performed in Queen’s and Wimbledon, which he received back-to-back,” Djokovic famous. “You’d assume that for somebody rising up in Spain, as he did, the best way he’s enjoying, clay courtroom, Grand Slam win, which occurred this yr in Roland Garros, and U.S. Open a couple of years in the past was possibly not as stunning as Wimbledon–however the best way he has moved, performed the final couple of years on grass has been terrific to look at, to be sincere.
“I see plenty of similarities between me and him by way of means to adapt and regulate to the floor. I feel that’s most likely his greatest trait, is that he’s obtained abilities to play equally effectively on any floor and to adapt to a given opponent that exact day.”
That’s precisely what Alcaraz did within the 2023 last and he needs to be anticipated to do the identical 2024. He has survived more durable checks than Djokovic at this occasion and has been the superior participant just about all yr lengthy.
Decide: Alcaraz in 4
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and in addition maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter at @Dimonator.