Novak Djokovic battled against Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final
Novak Djokovic failed to lift his eighth Wimbledon trophy a couple of weeks ago, falling in the title clash to Carlos Alcaraz. However, Novak collected some notable achievements, extending his incredible legacy and remaining competitive at 37.
Wimbledon was Djokovic’s 75th Major in a career, moving six behind Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez, the all-time leaders. Novak was the finalist in 37, reaching the title clash in almost half of all the Majors he entered and maintaining a stunning ratio!
Djokovic stood on 50% ahead of 2024, competing in 36 Major finals from 72 entries! The Serb spoiled the ratio a bit after failing to reach the final in Melbourne and Paris earlier this year.
Despite a knee issue, Novak bounced back at Wimbledon, advancing into his tenth title match at the All England Club.
Djokovic withdrew from Roland Garros ahead of the quarter-final duel with Casper Ruud. The veteran tore his medial meniscus following two marathons on Court Philippe-Chatrier, passing those obstacles but withdrawing and undergoing a procedure.
Novak started the race against time ahead of Wimbledon, hitting the gym a week after surgery and traveling to London with protection on his right knee. The seven-time champion fell good on the practice court and entered the draw, hoping for his knee to endure the efforts.
The 24-time Major winner faced a qualifier Vit Kopriva in the first round and scored a comfortable victory. Novak overpowered Vit on serve and return, spending little time on the court and making a convincing start.
Novak Djokovic has collected 37 finals from 75 Major events.
Djokovic played against the home player Jacob Fearnley in the second round and struggled.
The Briton played well in sets three and four, attacking and standing two points from forcing a surprising decider. However, Novak stayed focused and sealed the deal with a late break, moving into the third round and avoiding spending more time on the court.
Djokovic faced Alexei Popyrin in the third round. Two rivals battled hard in Melbourne in January, and the Aussie pushed the legend to the limits again. Popyrin claimed the opener before Djokovic restored the order, winning the next three sets and moving over the top despite not playing at his best.
Novak entered the last 16 and enjoyed a more relaxed day at the office versus Holger Rune. Djokovic outplayed the young gun on serve and return, sealing the deal in straight sets and moving into his 15th Wimbledon semi-final.
Thanks to unfortunate circumstances, Novak did not play a point against Alex de Minaur, with the Aussie withdrawing due to a hip injury, offering the Serb a couple of days off the court.
Djokovic faced the first-time Major semi-finalist Lorenzo Musetti and celebrated a 6-4, 7-6, 6-4 victory, moving into the title clash. Musetti fought well, forging the advantage in two sets but failing to keep it. Novak attacked and rushed to the net, overpowering Lorenzo in the pivotal moments and moving into his tenth final from the previous 13 trips to London!
Like a year ago, Djokovic battled for the trophy against Carlos Alcaraz. The young Spaniard earned a dominant 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 victory in two hours and 27 minutes, defending the title and delivering the Serb’s third loss in the Wimbledon finals.
Novak lacked speed and precision against such a strong opponent, falling two sets to love behind in no time and missing a chance to extend the battle after a more reliable performance in set number three.
The Spaniard played against three break points, one in sets one and two! He got broken while serving for the title but stayed composed and sealed the deal in the tie break. The Serb was miles away from that pace, giving away 42% of the points in his games and losing serve five times from 14 chances presented to his opponent.
Unlike a year ago, Alcaraz made a perfect start, creating five break points in the first game of the duel and seizing the last for an early advantage. Carlos provided two solid holds and made another push on the return at 3-1.
Novak played a loose service game, getting broken and falling further behind.
Alcaraz saved a break point in the sixth game and wrapped up the set two games later, landing a service winner for 6-2 after 41 minutes.
The Spaniard maintained that pace in the second set, serving well and taking almost half of the return points. Carlos grabbed two breaks and forged a 6-2, 6-2 advantage after an hour and 15 minutes, looking good to defend the title in 35 or 40 minutes.
Djokovic saved four break points early in the third set and gained a boost, playing better and matching Alcaraz’s pace. The young gun denied a break point in game six with a service winner and stole the rival’s serve at 4-4 after a couple of winners, serving for the title in the next one.
Novak erased three match points in the tenth game and clinched his only break, leveling the score at 5-5 and extending the duel. The set went into a tie break, and they split the opening six points.
Carlos clinched a thrilling point for 4-3 and secured a mini-break in the next one after Novak’s basic error. Alcaraz created two match points at 6-4 and converted the first with a service winner, celebrating his second Wimbledon title at 21.