WIMBLEDON/WASHINGTON, July 16, 2023 (by Michael Dickens)
Sunday’s Gentlemen’s Singles final at the Wimbledon Championships, between seven-time winner and defending champion Novak Djokovic and World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, merely matches the two best players in the game today competing for the most famous prize in tennis on its most-hallowed ground, Centre Court at the All England Club. The No. 1 ranking will be at stake, too.
Blockbuster 🏆@carlosalcaraz and @DjokerNole coming soon… 🔜#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/Z0ZTEt8W3Q
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2023
On the one hand, Djokovic has won 23 major titles – including the past four Wimbledon finals – and if he can add one today, an eighth career Wimbledon crown will equal the eight won by Roger Federer between 2003-17.
Already this British fortnight, Djokovic has extended his Wimbledon winning streak to 34 straight matches and has already matched Federer’s record of 46 major semifinals. Add to that, the 36-year-old from Serbia hasn’t lost on Centre Court in a decade – back when Alcaraz was a mere 10-year-old lad – and, if history is a motivator, Djokovic is one who hopes to continue to write tennis history for a long time.
“Ambition is always the highest for me: always to win the title,” said Djokovic (33-4 this season) in his press conference Friday after defeating 21-year-old semifinalist Jannik Sinner of Italy, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4). Sinner, like Alcaraz, is one of the bright stars of the future. “It’s not changing regardless of the place in history books.
“Maybe some people think it would be a huge relief for me winning Roland Garros, being the only men’s tennis player with 23 slams. It’s not.
“I mean, pressure is there. It’s still very high. I still feel goose bumps and butterflies and nerves coming into every single match. So, I’m going to be coming into Sunday’s final like it’s my first, to be honest. … Goal and approach will be as serious and professional as it been always.”
Reaching finals is just what he does.#Wimbledon | @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/iTOxe9kSpf
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2023
Meanwhile, the 20-year-old Alcaraz (46-4 in 2023) from Spain has arrived at his second major final after winning last year’s US Open against Norway’s Casper Ruud. He has gone undefeated on grass this season by stringing together 11 consecutive victories and winning a title at Queen’s Club.
Asked in press after Friday’s 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 semifinal triumph over World No. 3 Daniil Medvedev of Russia how much he likes grass now, Alcaraz smiled at the reporter’s question and quipped: “Could become my best surface. No, but I always like [to] play on grass. probably after this year even more.”
The courtside view of that match point is something else 😮💨#Wimbledon | @carlosalcaraz pic.twitter.com/b2J4IgcDsF
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2023
How important would it be to Alcaraz, who like his opponent has only dropped two sets, if he could pull off a huge upset of Djokovic on a major stage such as Wimbledon? “Well, [it] gives you extra motivation,” he said. “I think it’s more special to play [a] final against a legend from our sport.
“Well, if I win, it could be amazing for me – not only win a Wimbledon title but do it against Novak would be super special.
“But I always say if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Novak is one of them. Would be great if I’ll do it.”
Sunday 16 July. Centre Court. No.1 vs No.2.#Wimbledon | @carlosalcaraz | @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/DWTjbrwr1u
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2023
All eyes throughout the tennis world will be focused on Alcaraz and Djokovic when they walk through the doors of the All England Club and out onto Centre Court at 2 p.m. sharp London Time (3 p.m. Central European, 9 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time).
The last word goes to Djokovic, who said of Alcaraz, 16 years his junior:
“He very motivated. He’s young. He’s hungry.
“I’m hungry, too, so let’s have a feast.”
We’re hungry for it.#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/fnPAH8NuJY
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2023
Around the All England Club
On Saturday, wheelchair titles were awarded in the women’s singles, quad doubles and men’s doubles competitions.
• Diede De Groot, 26, of the Netherlands enhanced her legacy by capturing her 11th consecutive Grand Slam trophy. She is now a five-time Wimbledon winner and has won 19 majors overall.
• Dutch top seeds Sam Schroeder and Niels Vink successfully defended their quad doubles crown.
• British favorites Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid clinched their fifth Wimbledon men’s wheelchair doubles title,
Diede De Groot’s 11th consecutive Grand Slam title.
Unbelievable record 🤯#Wimbledon | @DiedetheGreat pic.twitter.com/n8FeyTohmc
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 15, 2023
Back-to-back Quad Wheelchair Doubles champions 🏆@SamWCTennis and Niels Vink 👏#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/fPZ67nmhDB
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 15, 2023
Great Britain’s @alfiehewett6 and @GordonReid91 have now won 18 Grand Slam Wheelchair Doubles titles together 🏆
What a duo!#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/z2Or1cWMCg
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 15, 2023
