What is going to the 2024 Wimbledon last do for an encore? It must produce one thing particular if it needs to equal final 12 months’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 12 months it was a extremely troublesome match,” Alcaraz stated of the ’23 Wimbledon last. “He put me in [real] hassle. However, yeah, I understand how it’s going to really feel taking part in in opposition to Djokovic. I’ve performed (him a) few instances in Grand Slams, last of (a) Masters 1000, a number of instances 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by way of the 2024 marketing campaign, Djokovic is exhibiting few–however some–indications of slowing down at 37 years outdated. He stays one of many three finest gamers on the planet (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 12 months. 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 believe all of us final 12 months 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 taking part in, clay courtroom, Grand Slam win, which occurred this 12 months in Roland Garros, and U.S. Open a number of years in the past was perhaps not as stunning as Wimbledon–however the best way he has moved, performed the final couple of years on grass has been terrific to observe, to be sincere.
“I see a variety of similarities between me and him when it comes to means to adapt and regulate to the floor. I believe that’s most likely his largest trait, is that he’s bought expertise to play equally properly on any floor and to adapt to a given opponent that individual 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 12 months lengthy.
Choose: Alcaraz in 4
Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and likewise maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You may observe him on Twitter at @Dimonator.
