By Tony Fairbairn at Wimbledon
- Novak Djokovic [2] v Carlos Alcaraz [3]
- H2H: Djokovic leads 3-2
LONDON, ENGLAND – After losing last year’s final in a five set thriller, Novak Djokovic has revenge on his mind as he takes on defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a Wimbledon final rematch.
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Novak Djokovic [2] v Carlos Alcaraz [3] H2H & Match Fundamentals
It’s a tenth Wimbledon final for Novak Djokovic after the Serb cruised past Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals. After entering the tournament with injury doubts, Djokovic has put those injury doubts to rest and is now one win away from a 25th Grand Slam title and his eighth at Wimbledon. A big obstacle awaits Djokovic in the final in the form of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz after the Spaniard edged out Daniil Medvedev in four sets to set up a rematch of last year’s final.
| Novak Djokovic [2] v Carlos Alcaraz [3] | H2H: Djokovic leads 3-2 |
| Wimbledon 2024 | London, England |
| Grass (O) | Prize Money: £1,400,000/£2,700,000 |
| First on Centre Court (14:00 BST) | BBC Sport |
Alcaraz has had the tougher route to the final and used the most energy but both players have had to endure tough tests on their way to a rematch from last year’s final.
Novak Djokovic [2] route to the final
R1: Vit Kopriva [Q] 6-1 6-2 6-2
R2: Jacob Fearnley [WC] 6-3 6-4 5-7 7-5
R3: Alexei Popyrin 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6(5)
R4: Holger Rune [15] 6-3 6-4 6-2
QF: Alex De Minaur [9] W/O
SF: Lorenzo Musetti [25] 6-4 7-6(2) 6-4
Carlos Alcaraz [3] route to the final
R1: Mark Lajal [Q] 7-6(3) 7-5 6-2
R2: Aleksandar Vukic 7-6(5) 6-2 6-2
R3: Frances Tiafoe [29] 5-7 6-2 4-6 7-6(2) 6-2
R4: Ugo Humbert [16] 6-3 6-4 1-6 7-5
QF: Tommy Paul [12] 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-2
SF: Daniil Medvedev [4] 6-7(1) 6-3 6-4 6-4
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)
| H2H: | Novak Djokovic (WR 2) | Carlos Alcaraz (WR 3) |
| Tournament Previous Best | Champion (2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022) | Champion (2023) |
| 1st Serve % | 64.3 | 67.4 |
| Service Games Won % | 82.6 | 84.3 |
| Break Points Saved % | 64.1 | 62 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 53.7 | 58 |
| Break Points Converted % | 45.2 | 45.1 |
Alcaraz has been more consistently efficient this season but Djokovic’s ability to be clutch on important points should not be underestimated heading into this final.
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Playing Styles and Prediction
A month ago Djokovic had meniscus surgery after a nasty injury at Roland Garros but the Serb now finds himself in a tenth Wimbledon final having produced some incredible tennis in big moments.
Now Djokovic looks for revenge from last year’s final as he seeks a 25th Grand Slam title and an eighth at Wimbledon.
Speaking after his win over Musetti, Djokovic said he is really happy to reach the final at Wimbledon given his knee injury and is aware of what is on the line in the final.
“So I’m really, really happy to make the finals because I was not thinking about, particularly in the first couple of matches, of the eventual title match. I was just thinking about moving well, not injuring myself, to be honest, and feeling more free so to say in my movement,” Djokovic said in his press conference.
“That’s what happened I think in the third and particularly fourth round. I felt like, Okay, I’m actually playing close to my best, and I can have a shot at the title. Coming into Wimbledon really before the tournament, I wasn’t sure until three, four days before the tournament whether I’m going to take part in it. Made an extra effort to recover as quickly as possible just because it was Wimbledon.
“Obviously I’m aware that Roger holds eight Wimbledons. I hold seven. History is on the line. Also, the 25th potential Grand Slam. Of course, it serves as a great motivation, but at the same time it’s also a lot of pressure and expectations. Every time I step out on the court now, even though I’m 37 and competing with the 21-year-olds, I still expect myself to win most of the matches, and people expect me to win, whatever, 99% of the matches that I play.
“Of course, I’m aware of what’s on the line. It always is really. Any Grand Slam that I play, there’s always history now on the line. I will try to use that as a fuel to, yeah, play my best tennis.”
A rematch of last year’s final awaits against Alcaraz after the Spaniard is into a second consecutive final despite not playing his best tennis.
The defending champion will now look to save his best tennis for the final and accomplish a Roland Garros-Wimbledon double.
Ahead of the final Alcaraz admitted it’s difficult changing from clay to grass and is feeling confident heading into his rematch with Djokovic.
“Yeah, it’s difficult – I’m not going to lie – switching from clay to grass. Everybody could watch it at Queen’s that I didn’t play well. I have a lot of work to do,” Alcaraz admitted in his press conference.
“Yeah, I decided to stay there because of that, because I need hours on grass and practice on grass just to be better, try to feel most comfortable as I can. But yeah, there’s no secret. As I say many times, you have to put hours, you have to put work and trust that it’s going to be better. That’s all I thought and what I did.
“Yeah, I’m coming into a final feeling great with really high level of tennis, really high level of confidence, moving well. I have confident enough to do a really good results on Sunday.”
The serve will be key for Djokovic as he will try to maintain a high level throughout the match and avoid what happened last year which was creating too many errors in big points.
On the other side of the net, Alcaraz will need to play controlled tennis while timing his power and variety correctly in order to punch holes from Djokovic’s inconsistent defensive game.
On one hand Djokovic’s freshness could play into his favour but on the other hand the Serb has not faced a player like Alcaraz in this tournament which could be a disadvantage.
This will be an entertaining final with both players yet to reach their best level although like last year Alcaraz may have enough variety, power and problem solving ability to outlast Djokovic.
Prediction: Alcaraz in five sets.
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