Djokovic and Alcaraz to meet in Wimbledon final

That said, the two men reached the Wimbledon final via very different routes. Alcaraz’s path seemed set, but that became all the more clear when Medvedev knocked out Jannik Sinner, who had been a bit slow in the quarterfinals. While Djokovic’s participation in this year’s tournament is nothing short of a miracle, he underwent knee surgery a month ago, the day after pulling out of the quarterfinals at Roland-Garros.

“In a way it’s surreal,” admitted the Serbian player, who remarkably will play his first final in 2024.

If he wins, Djokovic:

• He becomes the joint record holder (men) for the most Wimbledon titles (8), equal with Roger Federer. Among women, Martina Navratilova has 9.
• Won his 25th Grand Slam title, an improved record.
• He will also improve his record as the oldest winner in Wimbledon history (37 years and 53 days), a record he has held since last year.
• Won the 99th title of his career, still closer to Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).

If he wins, Alcaraz will:

• He becomes the fourth player aged 21 or younger to win four Grand Slam titles, after Björn Borg, Mats Wilander and Boris Becker (Open era).
• He becomes the third player aged 21 or younger to have won multiple Wimbledons, after Björn Borg and Boris Becker (Open era).
• He becomes the sixth player to win the Roland-Garros Wimbledon double, after Rod Laver, Björn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic (Open era).

WHAT THEY SAID

Novak Djokovic: “Carlos surprised us all last year. As a Spaniard and given the way he plays, it was less surprising to see him win Roland-Garros or even the US Open than to see him win Wimbledon. I see a lot of similarities between him and me in this ability to adapt to any surface. I would say that this is his main characteristic: he has the weapons to play equally well on all surfaces, regardless of his opponent. It is very complete. What he has achieved at his age is impressive. We all agree that he will win many more Grand Slams. So I hope he leaves me that one, and then I will cheer him on!”

Carlos Alcaraz: “Last year it was an extremely difficult match against Novak, he really gave me big problems. I know what it’s like to play against him. I’ve met him several times in the final of a Grand Slam or Masters 1,000. I know what I have to do. And I’m sure he knows what he has to do to beat me. It’s going to be an interesting match, that’s for sure. But I’m ready to take on the challenge and give the best of myself.”