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Agence France-Presse

Novak Djokovic believes the prospect of creating tennis history will provide the “fuel” he needs to defeat Carlos Alcaraz and clinch an eighth Wimbledon title and record 25th grand slam on Sunday.
Just five weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee, 37-year-old Djokovic can become the oldest Wimbledon champion of the modern era and avenge his heartbreaking five-set loss to the Spaniard in last year’s final.
“I’m aware of what’s on the line,” Djokovic said. “Any grand slam that I play, there’s always history now on the line.
“I will try to use that as a fuel to play my best tennis.”
Djokovic will be playing in his 10th Wimbledon final and 37th at the 75 majors in which he has played.

A 25th grand slam title would be an all-time record for men and women, beating the mark of 24 he shares with Margaret Court.
“It serves as a great motivation, but at the same time it’s also a lot of pressure and expectations,” the Serb added.
“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 99 per cent of the matches that I play.”
Djokovic arrived at Wimbledon under a form and fitness cloud.
The 22-year-old Italian Jannik Sinner took his Australian Open title and then his world No 1 ranking, before Alcaraz succeeded him as French Open champion.
When he played his first round match it was only 25 days after he had gone under the knife to repair a torn meniscus which had caused him to withdraw from Roland Garros.
“We agreed that we would not talk about my guaranteed Wimbledon participation until three, four days before the tournament starts,” Djokovic said. “I understand why people were thinking it’s premature, it’s maybe reckless.
“But I don’t think it was, to be honest.”
Alcaraz, 16 years Djokovic’s junior, is in his fourth grand slam final and is looking to add a second Wimbledon to his 2022 US Open breakthrough and French Open title from last month.
His win in the 2023 All England Club final ended Djokovic’s 34-match winning streak at the tournament, but Alcaraz has endured an uneven tournament.
In the semi-final, he defeated Daniil Medvedev but only after having to come back from dropping the first set for the third time at the tournament.
He is bidding to become only the sixth man to win the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back.
However, Djokovic has won their last two meetings – in the 2023 Cincinnati Open final and then in the semi-finals of the season-ending ATP Tour Finals.

Alcaraz hopes to make it a super Sunday for Spain by winning the Wimbledon final before the country’s national football team face England in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.
“Being a Spaniard, yeah, it would be a perfect Sunday,” Alcaraz said. “It’s going to be a really fun day for Spanish people watching my final, watching the Euros final.”
Alcaraz has been warned to expect a supercharged Djokovic who has swept into the final with two straight-sets wins punctuated by an injury walkover handed to him by Alex de Minaur in the last eight.
“This was the seventh time that we were playing against each other, and I never faced a Novak like this,” Lorenzo Musetti, who fell to Djokovic in the semi-finals, said. “I didn’t see him struggling physically.
“I have to say he played a really incredible match. He showed that he’s really in great shape – I think not only in tennis, but physically.”


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Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic eyes record 25th grand slam title in Wimbledon final against Carlos Alcaraz

Novak Djokovic celebrates after beating Lorenzo Musetti in the Wimbledon semi-finals to set up a final meeting with Carlos Alcaraz. Photo: Xinhua

Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a set down to beat Daniil Medvedev and reach a second final. Photo: Xinhua

Novak Djokovic underwent knee surgery after pulling out of the French Open but returned for Wimbledon. Photo: AFP

Djokovic walks into Wimbledon semi-finals, as ‘devastated’ De Minaur withdraws injured

Australia’s Alex de Minaur has been forced to withdraw from the men’s singles at Wimbledon. Photo: DPA

Wimbledon 2024: Coleman Wong eyes later stages of grand slams, with Hong Kong fans’ help

Coleman Wong also said he saw his future being in singles rather than doubles. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Coleman Wong shows off his shots during the meet-and-greet at Victoria Park. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Wimbledon: Swiatek crashes out in biggest shock yet, but Djokovic marches on

Iga Swiatek reacts during her third round loss to Yulia Putintseva at Wimbledon. Photo: AP

Yulia Putintseva hits a forehand return to Iga Swiatek. Photo: AP

Sport

Tennis

Just five weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee, the 37-year-old can become the oldest champion of the modern era


Just five weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee, 37-year-old Djokovic can become the oldest Wimbledon champion of the modern era and avenge his five-set loss to the Spaniard in last year’s final.
