So here we are after 126 matches, ending with the match the tournament and fans needed. It’s a repeat of last year’s Wimbledon final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz; this one promises to be another classic. One of the final few times, we will see an upstart coming for the (greatest of all time) crown against the current crown holder trying to hold him off.
Both players haven’t looked as convincing as they were coming into last year’s Wimbledon final. Still, part of what makes Alcaraz vs Djokovic matches at Slams so exciting is both are absolute geniuses at managing the best of 5. There may be ups and downs, but you know both will bring their best tennis when they’re up against the wall.
Novak Djokovic has not had a good year and is the underdog coming into this match, which is a rare sighting. He more or less always delivers when his back is against the wall or is an underdog, like when he played Alcaraz last year at the French Open; most people were expecting Alcaraz to win, and that fired Djokovic up. The Serbian superstar has not been tested much this tournament and this year. He has only played two matches against top 10 opponents and lost both. Carlos Alcaraz already won a Slam last month and having that Slam in the bag lessens the pressure.
Wimbledon Final Breakdown
Keys For Djokovic
Djokovic has looked solid in his last two matches, with sharp, menacing accuracy when rallying with outstanding clinical point construction. The key for Djokovic against Alcaraz will be to play aggressively and go for more behind his groundstrokes, which could help him get the putaway earlier in the rallies. Keeping up physically with Alcaraz for a long time will be tough for Djokovic as the match will be physical, and he has to serve better than he did at last year’s final. He did not have his best serving day with just two aces and will look to improve in that department.
Djokovic came to the net a lot against Lorenzo Musetti, and he will need to do that again. He can’t rely on getting into baseline battles all the time against Alcaraz, who is younger and physically stronger. Djokovic might be a tiny bit hindered because of his knee. Djokovic needs quick points more than ever.
What Novak Djokovic does isn’t as spectacular as what other flashy players do. But it’s far more difficult and destructive over a match. His ability to redirect balls and to hit return after return back within inches of the baseline is underrated. He will need his returns to be firing against Alcaraz and put him ahead in rallies right from the start.
Keys For Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz cannot start slowly, like he did in last year’s final, and expect to win three of the last four sets since Djokovic will not let him off the hook this time. He must reduce his errors and try to steal points with his defense. Djokovic will look to come to the net a lot, and Alcaraz can expose that with his superior passing shots and ability to lob.
Alcaraz has more to offer when he has to win a certain point. He has more attacking variety and can do so quickly, whereas Djokovic has to work more for his points if he is not very aggressive, which in crunch time is asking for an error. The Spaniard served extremely well in last year’s final and has to do that again. He must maintain a high first serve percentage and hit his spots precisely, as Djokovic will return anything less than perfect.
Alcaraz is the younger and physically stronger right now so he has to test Djokovic’s fitness and knee as much as possible. Take Djokovic out of the court with angled forehands to Djokovic’s forehand side and make him run side to side. Weather conditions can also play a role in this match, especially if it’s windy, it will favour Alcaraz.
Carlos Alcaraz has never lost a Grand Slam final, and he plays his best tennis in the finals. He might not look as dominant coming into this final as last year, but when he’s on, he’s on and displays monstrous levels. Novak Djokovic is going for history as no other player has won 25 Slams, and he has never lost to the same opponent twice in a Wimbledon final. His motivation will be very high, and mentally, he will be locked in from the beginning.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane – USA TODAY Sports
