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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Katy Murrells

Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon – as it happened

Novak Djokovic Carlos Alcaraz Wimbledon Roger Federer Daniil Medvedev Jannik Sinner Nadal
Carlos Alcaraz poses with the trophy and waves to the crowd on the balcony after winning the Wimbledon 2024 men's singles final against Novak Djokovic.
Carlos Alcaraz poses with the trophy and waves to the crowd on the balcony after winning the Wimbledon 2024 men's singles final against Novak Djokovic. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters

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Closing thoughts. So the final may have failed to live up to the five-set drama of 12 months ago, but it was thrilling nonetheless seeing what could prove to be a decisive changing of the guard. Alcaraz showed great composure to win the tie-break after missing those three championship points and for most of the match utterly dominated Djokovic with his shot-making and speed – it was a rarity to see Djokovic looking so confounded on court. All of Djokovic’s net-rushing didn’t come off – Alcaraz is too good at picking his target for that – but Djokovic must have felt he couldn’t match Alcaraz physically from the baseline.

But credit to the Serb, it was still superhuman of him to reach the final so soon after knee surgery, it just wasn’t superhuman enough to beat the new superhero of tennis. So it’s a fourth grand slam title for Alcaraz – how many can he win? Of course Jannik Sinner is very much in the mix too – but, right now, it looks as if the only thing that can stop Alcaraz would be his body. He’s rewriting history just as Djokovic, Nadal and Federer did before him. As for Djokovic, he said in his speech that he’ll keep going in his chase for history – but the task of claiming outright GOAT-ness with a 25th slam title is only going to get harder.

Thanks so much for your company and your messages this past fortnight, it’s been a lot of fun. And you know where to head next …

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A British win to round off this year’s tournament:

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Alcaraz, always a fan pleaser, isn’t rushing through his media duties quite yet, because he’s speaking to the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte, and now he’s being led through the corridors of the All England Club before showing off his trophy on the balcony of the South West Hall. The fans cheer. Alcaraz says thank you. The future of tennis is in good hands.

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King Carlos takes his leave from Centre Court; he’s got a football match to watch, and he needs to get through all his media duties first. Meanwhile Nick Kyrgios, in the BBC studio, has taken off his suit and is wearing an England hoodie. But here’s a bad omen for England: the previous three times there’s been a Spanish men’s champion at Wimbledon, Spain have gone on to claim major football trophies (Nadal and the Euros in 2008, Nadal and the World Cup in 2010 and Alcaraz and the women’s World Cup last year, when Spain defeated England in the final).

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During the very short amount of time he has spent at the top of his sport, Carlos Alcaraz has already enjoyed a career with few comparisons. Alcaraz is winning big titles at a rate that few 21-year-olds ever have yet it still seems like he has barely scratched at the surface of his talents. Every win brings him closer to the possibility that he will soon be the dominant force in his sport.

He took another leap forward in his blossoming career by producing an incredible performance under pressure and holding off his late nerves to defeat the seven-time champion Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4) and triumph at Wimbledon for a second time in a row. Alcaraz has now won four major titles and counting and he joins Roger Federer as the only men to win their first four grand slam finals.

With this monumental victory, Alcaraz also joins a rare group of six players who have wonat Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year, nowadays sometimes known as the “Channel Slam”. This is also Alcaraz’s first ever grand slam title defence and it marks the first time he has won multiple grand slam titles in the same year.

After tearing his meniscus during the French Open and quickly undergoing surgery, Djokovic’s run to the final alone was incredibly impressive in itself. But the 37-year-old had also reached the final without facing a single top 10 opponent – the ninth seed Alex de Minaur withdrew before their quarter-final match – meaning he had not been tested by one of the elite.

More importantly, nothing in Djokovic’s path to the final prepared him for the excellence of Alcaraz. A year ago, the Spaniard demonstrated his mental strength and nerve in a delirious five-set comeback victory over Djokovic to win his first Wimbledon title in an instant classic. The start of the sequel suggested that another long afternoon could be on the cards as Alcaraz wrestled a mammoth 13-minute opening game from Djokovic to immediately break serve.

And then he remembers he should praise Novak. “I’m so nervous doing this speech I forget to mention Novak and his team. You guys have done unbelievable work after having surgery, making the final. And my team … all the support, every day, every week, it’s unbelievable to have you there. Hopefully we are going to have more times like this.” I’m sure he will.

The first boos as Annabel Croft asks where he’ll be watching a certain football match later. “With my team, for sure. I watch it for sure. I’ve already done my job … now let’s see the football. It’s going to be a really difficult match.”

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And how does it feel to become the sixth man in history to do the French Open-Wimbledon double? “It’s huge to be part of the players who’ve achieved Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year. Huge champions.”

And now the beaming winner. “Honestly it’s a dream for me winning this trophy,” Alcaraz says. “It’s a great feeling to play on this beautiful court and trophy. It’s the most beautiful tournament.

Of the game when he was broken serving for the match, he says: “It was 40-0. Djokovic is an unbelievable fighter, I tried to win with my serve, but I couldn’t. I tried to stay calm and positive going into the tie-break and play my best tennis. That’s all I was thinking about. I’m glad at the end I could find the solutions.”

“I have to be very proud,” the Serb replies when asked about being in the final only 37 days after knee surgery. “Obviously there’s disappointment right now but when I reflect on the last four to five weeks, what I’ve been through [with the knee surgery], I’m very satisfied. I try to remind myself sometimes of how surreal it is being here; being really blessed to fight for the trophy. Every time I step on the court it feels like the first time. I’m a child living a childhood dream.

“To my wife I love you. To my wonderful children thank you for bringing the smile to my face every single day. I’m so thankful to be a father of two little angels who love tennis. I don’t know if I have the nerves to have a coaching career with my son; but if you really wish to pursue it I’ll be there for you.

“Enough talking. I just want to say thanks to my whole team, for sticking with me through good and bad times. I love you guys, thanks for being in my corner, let’s keep this going.”

“He was definitely very hot today,” says Djokovic. “Obviously not the result I wanted, especially in the first couple of sets. I wasn’t up to par but credit to Carlos. I tried to push him and save the three match points to extend the match a little bit longer. But he was the deserved winner today.”

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Trophy time. And here comes the Princess of Wales for the presentation. First Djokovic trudges up to collect his runners-up plate; and now here comes Carlitos, who raises the trophy, and has achieved something Nadal never did by winning successive Wimbledon titles.

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So Alcaraz retains his Wimbledon title. At 21, he’s the youngest man to win Wimbledon and Roland Garros in the same year and the youngest back-to-back men’s singles champion at Wimbledon since Boris Becker in 1986. And in doing so he’s dismissed Djokovic’s latest attempt to rewrite the history books – and is well on his way to becoming a great of the game himself. That’s four grand slam finals out of four won now. How lucky are we. Federer is long departed, Nadal and Murray are nearly departed, Djokovic may feel as if he wants to depart after today … but now we have this superstar.

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Alcaraz beats Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) to win Wimbledon!

A serve-volley from Djokovic and Alcaraz scoops long. 5-4 Alcaraz … if Alcaraz wins the next two points on serve he will be the Wimbledon champion once more. But that is by no means guaranteed given the events of the past 20 minutes. Alcaraz shows immense nerve to conjure up one of his best drop shots of the day. And here are two more championship points. Again he can’t find a first serve. But this time Djokovic’s backhand batters the net! Alcaraz is the Wimbledon champion once more! He absolutely outclassed Djokovic, who has a warm embrace and some warm words for the Spaniard at the net. And then, of course, Alcaraz wants to celebrate with his team and family. He’s trying to find his way up to the box and takes a wrong turn for the first time today (well apart from when he was serving for the match). But then he’s up there. Wonderful scenes. And a wonderful champion.

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Vintage Djokovic as he runs left and right, doing the splits in the process, and he’s the elastic man of old. But Alcaraz prevails and holds his arm aloft. So it’s 4-3 Alcaraz on serve … and then 5-3 as Djokovic hesitates coming forward and whacks wide!

Alcaraz chops back the serve, then rediscovers his range on his forehand, and strikes the winner for 3-1. The first mini-break. Djokovic wins the next point on his serve … and Alcaraz thinks he’s found the line with his backhand, he’s celebrating … but it was 0.000001mm wide! Alcaraz has no challenges left, and they switch ends at 3-3 …

Hawk-Eye confirms Alcaraz’s effort just whistled wide and Djokovic takes the first point of the breaker. Alcaraz needs to steady himself here – that should really have been a mini-break – instead he’s 1-0 down. Alcaraz does indeed regather for 2-1 – and this time it’s Djokovic with a loose miss …

Third set: Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 6-6 Djokovic

"Hi Katy,” emails Simon McMahon. “Just seen Agassi watching on. For some reason tennis, and particularly Wimbledon, makes me come over all nostalgic. No doubt since I grew up watching Borg and McEnroe, then Becker, Edberg, Sampras, Agassi and then onto Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and of course Andy Murray. Plus Navratilova, Evert, Graf, Seles, Williams. Great names all, and now we have a new star in Alcaraz. Long live tennis, long live Wimbledon.” Me too Simon, me too; and suddenly Alcaraz is stirring memories of Edberg as he shows incredible hands to dig out a low volley for 40-0. Alcaraz wins the next point and we’ve got ourselves a tie-break!

Third set: Alcaraz* 6-2, 6-2, 5-6 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

“Nole, Nole, Nole, Nole,” the crowd are chanting. No hint of a boo here; they love him right now. And they’re cheering even more when he holds to 15. They don’t want this to end.

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Djokovic breaks: Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 5-5 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Djokovic isn’t messing around at the changeover either; he’s off his chair early and looks as if he just wants to get this over with. “This is the official changing of the guard,” announces Nick Kyrgios. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, when Djokovic, all at sea, sends a routine volley into the net. So it’s three championship points. Alcaraz misses his first serve … a let is called on his second … and he then double faults! So after the most superhuman of performances today, Alcaraz shows he is slightly human after all.

Another second serve … this one his lands … but his feet are slow and heavy and he can’t get Djokovic’s return back! A first-serve let – followed by another – and the tension is building. He makes the second serve, winds up for the drive volley, someone screams in the crowd … and Alcaraz skews wide! What drama. And a wild forehand makes it Djokovic’s advantage! Alcaraz smacks into the net and, from three championship points down, Djokovic has won five straight points – or rather Alcaraz has donated them to him – and Djokovic has his first break! That’s what nerves will do to you.

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Alcaraz breaks: Alcaraz* 6-2, 6-2, 5-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

An airborne Alcaraz wallops away a 106mph forehand winner for 0-15. And then a thunderous drive-volley for 0-40. Wow. Ball-striking to take the breath away. Three break points – which are nearly championship points. Normally Djokovic would be bounce, bounce, bounce, bouncing the ball to give him some time to regroup. But he’s rattled. He wins the first break point but Alcaraz’s exuberance is far too much for Djokovic to handle on the second, as his backhand cross-court winner secures the break!

Third set: Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 4-4 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

A one-two punch straight out of the tennis textbook from Alcaraz gets him to 40-0. Djokovic puts away a simple smash for 40-15. And Alcaraz smacks down his fifth ace for the game. Despite Djokovic’s new-found fight, Alcaraz is edging closer to the finish line, and Djokovic must hold in the next game otherwise Alcaraz will be serving for the title.

Third set: Alcaraz* 6-2, 6-2, 3-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djokovic rattles through to love. He’s the better player right now. We’ve finally got a match on our hands. But can he actually break the Alcaraz serve?

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Third set: Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 3-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Digging into the history books, Djokovic did come from two sets to love down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the 2021 French Open final. But this feels different – Alcaraz has proved himself on the biggest stage in three slam finals before, winning the lot – while Tsitsipas still hasn’t won a slam. At 15-all, the point is on Djokovic’s racket after some strong play – but he nets the volley. 30-15, 40-15, then an unsuccessful Hawk-Eye appeal from Alcaraz and it’s 40-30. Then the real Novak Djokovic well and truly stands up, pushing, pushing, pushing Alcaraz with some blistering attack, and it’s deuce.

Alcaraz drop shots, then lobs – I wonder if it’s going wide, but Djokovic doesn’t take any chances – but he can’t direct the ball back into play. Advantage Alcaraz. Deuce. The crowd is cranking up the noise; they feel like Alcaraz may have a match on his hands now. And Djokovic produces the pass to bring up break point! The crowd erupt. Alcaraz aims an ace down the middle. Deuce. Advantage Alcaraz. Another Djokovic pass! Now Djokovic is feeling the love from the crowd, they’re willing him on. But Alcaraz extinguishes Djokovic’s hopes with the next two points.

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Third set: Alcaraz* 6-2, 6-2, 2-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

A much-needed no-nonsense hold to love from Djokovic, as he gets three games on the board for the first time in a set today. Not a sentence I thought I’d type as late as set three. That’ll have felt good after that tortuous 10-minute game at 1-1.

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Third set: Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 2-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

With Alcaraz 30-0 up, Djokovic decides it’s time for a change of racket. It doesn’t win him the next point though, as Alcaraz shows the older man that he’s now the best mover in the game. “A whiff of Ken Rosewall here; Novak being almost embarrassed by a younger man; the game is well and truly up,” emails Nick Gibson. And with Alcaraz at 40-0, he feints by unwinding his racket … and then pulling off the cutest of drop shots.

“Although Alvaraz is overpowering his opponent with his athleticism and superb all-round play, Novak is still reminding us of his talent with some blistering shots worthy of such a champion,” writes Colum Fordham. “But it’s looking like an unequal context with Djokovic struggling with his knee. But you never know with the steely Serb. For the very first time, I almost feel sorry for him. Alcaraz’s drop shots are a joy to behold.”

Third set: Alcaraz* 6-2, 6-2, 1-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Gasps and applause on the opening point as Alcaraz, on the run, flies over the net in the tramlines and curves back into court for the winner. But it’s not just the shots that Alcaraz pulls off, it’s the smile with which he does it. It’s all just so fun. Not fun for Djokovic though – 0-15, 0-30, 30-40 – the first break point of this third set. Djokovic survives. A strong approach to the net from Djokovic at deuce … but still Alcaraz picks him off with a cross-court forehand winner! Advantage Alcaraz, a second break point. This time Djokovic does prove impenetrable at the net. And the camera pans to Tom Cruise in the crowd, as Djokovic attempts to pull off, erm, mission impossible. A third break point comes and goes. And now the net cord is on Alcaraz’s side, to set up a fourth break point. Djokovic aces. This is a game to rival the opening game of the match – but this one has a different outcome as Djokovic holds. Cue the biggest outpouring of emotion from him in this final so far. Maybe that’ll stir him into action.

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Third set: Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 1-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

A green shoot for Djokovic on the grass where he’s reigned seven times before, as he holds to 15. Which becomes more than a shoot when he advances to 0-30 on Alcaraz’s serve. Alcaraz ups the ante with a smart serve into the body and forehand winner. Djokovic should really prevail on the fourth point – a punchier volley would have clinched it – instead Alcaraz accelerates forward and comes up with the pass! 30-all, 40-30, with another fearhand down the line. Alcaraz is out-Djokovic-ing Djokovic here, adeptly turning defence into attack. Djokovic drags himself to deuce but Alcaraz holds from there.

Alcaraz wins second set 6-2

A 108mph second serve right into the corner takes Alcaraz to 30-15. Djokovic steadies himself with a forehand smash. But he can’t make any further inroads and is left staring at the grass and the possibility of an emphatic defeat when he can’t return Alcaraz’s stinging and snarling serve. After one hour and 17 minutes, Djokovic has been totally disarmed. He’s come back from two sets to love down eight times in his career. But against Alcaraz in this form? I can’t see it. The defending champion is locked in and is a set away from a second successive Wimbledon title.

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Alcaraz breaks: Alcaraz* 6-2, 5-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Quite ridiculous court coverage from Alcaraz at 30-0, as he sprints and then slides forward to Djokovic’s angled volley as if he’s on the red clay at Roland Garros, where he won of course only five weeks ago. A stumped Djokovic makes the error. It’s quickly 30-all. And gasps from the crowd as Djokovic inexplicably nets the volley! 30-40, break point. And Djokovic does what Djokovic hardly ever does in the big moments, and double faults! The seven-times champion walks sadly to his chair. Alcaraz has played well, no doubt about that, but this is unexpectedly flat and error-strewn from Djokovic. Alcaraz will serve for a two sets to love lead!

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Second set: Alcaraz 6-2, 4-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

But whatever you can do Novak … Alcaraz reminds Djokovic who’s boss with a love hold of his own. Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero has plenty to say to his charge between games; not that I caught any of it. The way this is going Djokovic is turning into such an underdog that he may even get the Centre Court crowd on his side …

Second set: Alcaraz* 6-2, 3-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djokovic goes for all-out attack, charging forward at every opportunity. He must think it’s the only hope he’s got. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game, as the match ticks beyond the hour-mark.

Second set: Alcaraz 6-2, 3-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Alcaraz’s power >>>>>>>>> Djokovic’s. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0. Djokovic strides forward to smack away a short ball for 40-15 – maybe that’ll help him shake off a bit of frustration – but then the most deceptive of drop shots – just as it looked as if Alcaraz was going to hit through his backhand – flummoxes Djokovic! That’s going to make the highlights reel.

An email from the Guardian’s very own Philip Cornwall. “I am sitting in a Berlin (OK, Potsdam) hotel room, recovering from an overnight bus ride from Zurich after my flight to Munich on Friday was cancelled by lightning, leading to a scramble via Paris and trains to Switzerland. Two German channels are showing the cycling, one has triathlon, one American football, and none available to me has the tennis. I am relying on you - and on Alcaraz to get it done in straight sets...”

Second set: Alcaraz* 6-2, 2-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djokovic finds himself on the ropes again at 30-all, but peels himself off, first when Alcaraz goes wide and then when Djokovic dispatches a drop shot. It’s the first time Djokovic has held serve from 0-15 down. Not really something to be too proud of, but he’ll cling on to any little hope he has right now.

Second set: Alcaraz 6-2, 2-0 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

An uncharacteristic miss from Djokovic at 0-15; he can’t afford to be doing that when he’s already a set and a break down. A well-disguised drop shot from Alcaraz, followed by a 135mph serve backed up by a whipped forehand winner down the line, makes it 40-15. But then here’s a sudden shift in momentum as Alcaraz serves up two double faults! Deuce. This would be a gift from Alcaraz if Djokovic breaks. But Alcaraz then quickly remembers the pattern of this match so far, and takes the next two points to back up the break. The defending champion has lost only two points when he’s got his first serve in.

Alcaraz breaks: Alcaraz* 6-2, 1-0 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

I think it’s showing right now how much of a step up in class Alcaraz is for Djokovic today. Kopriva, Fearnley, Popyrin, Rune, De Minaur, Musetti … Djokovic has only faced players that you’d very much expect him to beat so far. Alcaraz is an entirely different proposition. And the Spaniard underlines that with a clinical break to 15 at the start of the second set – having broken in the opening game of the first set too. Djokovic is absolutely reeling.

Alcaraz wins the first set 6-2

Alcaraz’s first-serve percentage was down at 35% in the first set against Medvedev in the semi-final – but he’s found his serving groove already today and he’s at 70% – and of course just as I type that Alcaraz makes his first double fault. No bother, though, because it’s very soon 40-15, two set points. Djokovic sends Alcaraz zooming into the tramlines on the first and the Spaniard can’t get the Serb’s backhand back. Alcaraz, however, seals the set with an unreturned serve. The first game took nearly a quarter of an hour – the rest of the set just 27 minutes.

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First set: Alcaraz* 5-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. Djokovic’s first love hold. But it’s most likely come far too late to save this opening set.

First set: Alcaraz 5-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Alcaraz, all youthful bounce and energy, is making the 37-year-old Djokovic look his age right now. Alcaraz is shaking his racket in celebration after a winning serve-volley combination. But from 30-15, Djokovic ups his returning and gets his first break-point chance at 30-40. Just as the camera zooms in on Andre Agassi, another of the game’s greatest ever returners. So nice to see him back at the scene of his 1992 triumph. Djokovic mis-directs his lob. Deuce. Then Djokovic flashes a forehand long and Alcaraz is a game away from the first set.

Alcaraz breaks: Alcaraz* 4-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

I think this first set is more important for Djokovic than it is for Alcaraz. Djokovic says he’s not feeling any pain in his knee now, but it would come under the most intense examination the longer this match goes on for. A 10th net approach from Djokovic is fruitless. 0-15 – then very swiftly 0-30 as Alcaraz attacks the Djokovic second serve. Djokovic often dropped 0-30 down on serve in his semi-final against Lorenzo Musetti – and then survived with some big serves. He does that to scramble back to 30-all, but at 30-40 here’s a point for the double break for Alcaraz. Another second-serve opportunity for Alcaraz … and Djokovic doubles! Alcaraz has the double break!

First set: Alcaraz 3-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

A first drop shot is sweetly struck from the Alcaraz racket and Djokovic, still wearing his knee support, is left stumbling into the grass as he tries to chase it down in vain. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game. The first love hold of this final.

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First set: Alcaraz* 2-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

Djokovic has already come to the net eight times; he clearly doesn’t want to be going toe-to-toe with Alcaraz at the baseline for too long. But he’s only won two of those points. At 15-30, he’s in trouble once more, but Alcaraz lets him off the hook with a miscued backhand. 30-all turns into 40-30 – and Djokovic gets his side of the scoreboard moving with an ace down the T. Cue applause from his son Stefan – who’s closer in age to Alcaraz than Djokovic is.

First set: Alcaraz 2-0 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)

Alcaraz is focused on consolidating his early advantage. From 30-15, he leaves Djokovic spinning, sliding and ultimately failing to return a 136mph serve. 40-15. And game, when Djokovic rams a backhand wide. A no-nonsense serving game to balance out that war of attrition in the first.

Alcaraz breaks: Alcaraz* 1-0 Djokovic (*denotes next server)

So Alcaraz elected to receive having won the toss. Djokovic slides 15-30 down – just as my computer freezes. The most inopportune of moments. My computer can’t give up yet – we’ve probably got another five hours of this. Then from deuce, Alcaraz runs forward to Djokovic’s volley, attacks down the line and Djokovic can only get his frame to it! An early break point.

Alcaraz has been slow to get going in his past couple of matches; he’d love an early break here. But he drills into the net. Deuce. Djokovic edges to advantage, but then hits wide. Deuce again. Then Alcaraz creates a second break point, with a forehand winner off a second serve. But again he makes the error. A fourth deuce. A fifth deuce, as the first game extends to 10 minutes … and now a third break point. But another Alcaraz error. A fourth break point – already Alcaraz’s parents look exhausted in his box – and Djokovic slams away a winner. A fifth break point, as Djokovic dumps a volley into the net … and Alcaraz breaks when Djokovic hits wide! One game. Fourteen minutes. Fancy more of this? Of course you do!

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As for my thoughts, Alcaraz hasn’t been at his absolute best this tournament – there have been bursts of brilliance but many lapses in concentration – but if he does play at a consistent level and bides his time rather than going for too many low-percentage winners, the 21-year-old should beat the 37-year-old. Especially when the 37-year-old has a recuperating knee. But then the 37-year-old, the fiercest competitor in tennis being driven by history. I make Alcaraz the slight favourite – but it’s going to be a helluva lot of fun finding out.

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So what of a probably-not-at-his-peak-yet Alcaraz v a past-his-peak Djokovic?

John McEnroe and Pat Cash give Alcaraz the edge. But McEnroe, dressed all in black – he says it’s his “Djokovic villain outfit” and a tribute to the Serb – says he wouldn’t be surprised if Djokovic wins: “His serve is really underrated. He’s a genius at figuring out ways of getting under the skin of his opponent. If we have anything like last year we’re in for a treat.”

Cash, meanwhile, when asked what Djokovic needs to do, replies: “Novak has served really well and volleyed really well. He’s trying to shorten the points, he doesn’t want to get into long rallies with these young guys and he’s doing that exceptionally well. Novak’s going to have to hit the one extra ball against Alcaraz. Alcaraz’s speed, power and ability to get shots back is exceptional.”

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“I know we all love a GOAT debate,” emails Gregory Phillips, “but in tennis I don’t think it ever has a satisfying answer. Sure, Djokovic has total slam wins on his side. And Daniel Harris wrote once that if he needed someone to win a match to save his life it would be Djokovic, but doesn’t that depend on timing and surface? I’d back peak Rafa over peak Djokovic on clay, and I can’t be alone in that. I would also pick peak Roger to beat him on grass. Federer gave Novak all he could handle at Wimbledon even in the twilight of his career.”

Here the players come, making their way through the corridors of the All England Club and sharing a joke in the process. They haven’t got their game faces on yet. A standing ovation follows as they arrive on court.

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And a huge cheer as Catherine and Princess Charlotte take their places in the Royal Box, along with the great and the good in tennis.

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Princess of Wales in attendance on Centre Court

It’s good to see the Princess of Wales is here this afternoon, in only her second public appearance since her cancer diagnosis. As the patron of the All England Club, she’ll be presenting the trophy, and has already met some of the British players, including Emma Raducanu. William, meanwhile, is in Germany for the Euros final.

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Stat attack.

So Alcaraz, 21, is attempting to claim his second successive Wimbledon title, which would make him the youngest back-to-back men’s singles champion here since Boris Becker in 1986. He would also become the youngest man to win Wimbledon and Roland Garros in the same year.

Djokovic, 37, is bidding to draw level with Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon men’s titles and move ahead of Margaret Court with a record 25 major singles titles.

This is a fourth slam final for Alcaraz and a 37th for Djokovic – and this is the biggest age gap in a slam final since Jimmy Connors beat a 39-year-old Ken Rosewall at Wimbledon and the US Open 50 years ago.

Brad Gilbert, the coach of Coco Gauff and former coach of Andy Murray, Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi, is hanging out by the hill:

Roads to the final

Alcaraz

First round Defeated Mark Lajal 7-6, 7-5, 6-2 in 2hr 22min
Second round Defeated Aleksandar Vukic 7-6, 6-2, 6-2 in 1hr 48min
Third round Defeated Frances Tiafoe 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 in 3hr 50min
Fourth round Defeated Ugo Humbert 6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 in 2hr 58min
Quarter-finals Defeated Tommy Paul 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in 3hr 11min
Semi-finals Defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in 2hr 55min
Total time on court 17hr 4min

Alcaraz hasn’t won in straight sets since the second round, coming from two sets to one down against Tiafoe in the third round and a set down against Paul in the quarters and also Medvedev in the semis. He hasn’t consistently played his best – but he has always found a way to win.

Djokovic

First round Defeated Vit Kopriva 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 in 1hr 58min
Second round Defeated Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 in 3hr
Third round Defeated Alexei Popyrin 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 in 3hr 5min
Fourth round Defeated Holger Rune 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in 2hr 3min
Quarter-finals Walkover against Alex de Minaur
Semi-finals Defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 7-6, 6-4 in 2hr 48min
Total time on court 12hr 54min

Djokovic looked a little wobbly in the first week – not surprising given he must have been thinking about his knee – but arrives in the final having generated impressive form momentum as the rounds have gone by (despite his walkover in the quarters).

Chris Cousens emails. “Hi, just voting to include Shingo Kunieda in discussion of GOATest tennis players - more singles slams than anyone else, and there wasn’t even a Wimbledon wheelchair event for part of his career.”

More on Hewett’s win:

My eyes may be getting a little damp as the BBC shows a montage of Andy Murray’s farewell ceremony last week. And speaking of great Brits, after Henry Patten’s brilliant victory with Finland’s Harri Heliovaara in the men’s doubles final yesterday (and big congratulations to Patten’s coach Calvin Betton, a friend of this blog), Alfie Hewett has today won that elusive men’s wheelchair singles title, defeating Spain’s Martin de la Puente 6-2, 6-3. It completes a career grand slam in singles and doubles for the 26-year-old, who lost in the final in 2022 and 2023.

Updated

Do get in touch with any predictions/predilections: you can email me here.

Preamble

At the start of this Wimbledon the scene appeared set. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the undisputed leaders of the new generation, would meet in the semi-finals, which would be the de facto final, because who from the other half of the draw could really trouble them in the final? Almost certainly not 37-year-old Novak Djokovic, only weeks after knee surgery.

But it didn’t quite turn out that way. An ailing Sinner lost to Daniil Medvedev in the last eight and Alcaraz, having defeated Medvedev, now faces a Djokovic who very much looks in the mood to match Roger Federer’s eight Wimbledon men’s titles and stretch ahead of Margaret Court with a record 25th grand slam singles title. We should have known that writing off Djokovic was stupid. Proving doubters wrong is what he’s done his whole career and there was no way he was going to let the small matter of surgery get in the way of his bid for undisputed GOAT-ness.

But then Alcaraz, just 21, is like three GOATs rolled into one, with his Djokovic-like movement, Nadal-like fight and Federer-like shot-making – and with three grand slam titles already on three different surfaces he’s achieved something they hadn’t at his age. Alcaraz defeated Djokovic over five absorbing sets in last year’s Wimbledon final and, having won Roland Garros last month, is going for a French Open-Wimbledon double – another feat Djokovic, Nadal and Federer didn’t pull off until later in their careers. He’s the new superstar whom tennis needed to take over from the Big Three; the Spaniard who will have Centre Court on his side this afternoon despite his country facing England later in the Euro 2024 final; and the youngster, all smiles and easy-going warmth, who is already more adored at Wimbledon than Djokovic has ever been.

For Djokovic that lack of love from many has hurt during his career and maybe it still does; perhaps that’s why he called out the crowd during Ruuuuune/Boooooo-gate on Monday. Or perhaps it was a sign he doesn’t care so much these days about winning fans over and that the gloves are off in his fight for tennis history.

“I’m aware that Roger holds eight Wimbledons [and] I hold seven,” Djokovic says. “History is on the line. Also, the 25th potential grand slam. Of course, it serves as a great motivation. I will try to use that as a fuel to play my best tennis.”

And if he achieves that unrivalled GOAT-ness today, would he trade in any of those titles for a bit more love? I doubt it.

Play begins at: 2pm BST. Don’t be late!

Updated

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