Carlos Alcaraz, fresh off his 21st birthday, is rapidly becoming a seasoned Grand Slam competitor. On Friday, he secured a place in his second consecutive Wimbledon final and fourth major final overall by defeating Daniil Medvedev 6-7 (1), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals. The young Spaniard showcased resilience and skill to bounce back from a rocky start.
“I feel like I’m not new anymore. I know how I’m going to feel before the final,” Alcaraz said. He will face Novak Djokovic, who won his semifinal against Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-4. This matchup marks the first time since 2014 and 2015 that the same two men will meet in back-to-back Wimbledon finals, with Djokovic winning last year’s encounter in five sets.
Djokovic, aiming for his eighth Wimbledon title and 25th Grand Slam, praised Alcaraz: “He’s as complete a player as they come. It’s going to take the best of my abilities on the court overall to beat him.”
In Alcaraz’s semifinal, the Spaniard initially struggled, losing the first set in a tiebreaker. However, he quickly found his footing, demonstrating the energy and attacking style that has defined his rapid rise in tennis. Despite Medvedev’s strong start and vocal objections to umpiring decisions, Alcaraz managed to regain control and ultimately secure victory.
Alcaraz, already a major champion on grass, clay, and hard courts, is on the verge of joining legends like Boris Becker and Bjorn Borg as the only men in the Open era with multiple Wimbledon titles before turning 22. With three Grand Slam titles already, he remains undefeated in major finals.
Djokovic, recovering from knee surgery earlier this year, will compete in his 10th Wimbledon final. He dominated his semifinal against Musetti, particularly excelling at the net, winning 43 of 56 points. Despite a brief scare in the final game where Musetti had break points, Djokovic’s experience and composure saw him through.
Sunday’s final promises a thrilling contest between two of the sport’s top players. Alcaraz, reflecting on his preparation, stated, “I know what I have to do. I’m sure he knows what he has to do to beat me.”
The Wimbledon men’s final will cap a busy sports day, which also features the final of the men’s soccer European Championship. Alcaraz, mindful of the broader significance, remarked, “It’s going to be a really good day for the Spanish people,” although he wisely refrained from predicting a Spanish victory in soccer.
As Alcaraz and Djokovic prepare for their highly anticipated clash, tennis fans worldwide eagerly await what promises to be a memorable Wimbledon final.
