Tennis

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Wimbledon champion, delivered a dominant performance to retain his title on Sunday, dismantling Serbia's Novak Djokovic in a rematch of last year's final. The 21-year-old Alcaraz, the third seed, produced a ruthless display to secure a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4) victory, extending his perfect record in Grand Slam finals to four.Alcaraz's triumph marks his second Wimbledon title, adding to his 2022 victory. He has also won the U.S. Open and French Open in the past year, establishing himself as one of the most formidable forces in tennis.The match began with a tense first game that lasted 14 minutes, with Alcaraz eventually breaking Djokovic's serve. The Spaniard continued to dominate the opening set, serving with precision and powering through his groundstrokes. Djokovic, the 37-year-old second seed, struggled to find his rhythm and was unable to match Alcaraz's intensity.In the second set, Alcaraz maintained his momentum, breaking Djokovic's serve early and capitalizing on his service woes. Djokovic faced mounting pressure and was unable to break back, giving Alcaraz a commanding two-set lead.The third set proved to be more competitive, with both players trading blows from the baseline. Alcaraz broke Djokovic's serve to take a 5-4 lead, but squandered three match points and dropped serve. However, he remained composed and clinched victory in the tiebreak, sealing his triumph with a powerful backhand winner.Alcaraz's victory denied Djokovic a record-equaling 25th Grand Slam title and prevented him from surpassing Margaret Court on the all-time list. It also marked the first time that Djokovic had lost a Grand Slam final in straight sets since the 2016 French Open.

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, two of the most formidable forces in tennis, are poised to make history in the 2024 Wimbledon men's championship final on Sunday. Last year, Alcaraz triumphed over Djokovic in an epic five-set thriller at the All England Club, securing his third major championship.Now, Alcaraz aims to capture his fourth Grand Slam title, while Djokovic, at 37, seeks to match Roger Federer's record of eight Wimbledon crowns. The Serbian legend has recently relinquished his world No. 1 ranking to Jannik Sinner after a knee injury forced him to withdraw from the French Open quarterfinals.Former world No. 1 Mats Wilander has weighed in on the impending clash, expressing his belief that Alcaraz may hold a psychological edge. "Carlos Alcaraz has won Wimbledon and beaten Novak there. He knows what to expect and feels he has many more years and chances to win Wimbledon," Wilander told Eurosport.However, Wilander also acknowledges the pressure that Djokovic may be facing as he contemplates retirement. "Novak is starting to feel like his time is coming in a year or two or three. That nervousness may catch up to him in the finals on Sunday," Wilander added.Djokovic, who underwent surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee just over a month ago, is determined to avenge his 2023 loss to Alcaraz. A victory would not only give him his 25th Grand Slam singles title, but also make him the oldest Wimbledon champion of the modern era.The stage is set for an unforgettable showdown between two generational talents. Djokovic's experience and resilience will be tested against Alcaraz's youthful exuberance and relentless determination. The outcome of this epic clash will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the annals of tennis history.

Novak Djokovic, the 37-year-old Serbian tennis legend, is poised to make history at Wimbledon on Sunday. With a victory over Carlos Alcaraz, he could become the oldest Wimbledon champion in the modern era and claim a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.Djokovic's pursuit of history comes just five weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee. Despite the recent setback, he has displayed remarkable resilience and determination throughout the tournament. "I'm aware of what's on the line," said Djokovic. "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's Wimbledon final appearance will be his 10th, a testament to his longevity and dominance in the sport. A 25th Grand Slam title would surpass the all-time record of 24 held by Margaret Court. "It serves as a great motivation, but at the same time it's also a lot of pressure and expectations," added Djokovic.Alcaraz, 16 years Djokovic's junior, is a rising star in tennis. He is seeking his second Wimbledon title after winning the US Open in 2022 and the French Open last month. However, Djokovic has won their last two meetings, including the 2023 Cincinnati Open final and the semi-finals of the ATP Tour Finals.The Wimbledon final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the world's best players. Djokovic's experience and determination will be tested against Alcaraz's youthful exuberance and aggressive style of play.

Daniil Medvedev's Wimbledon semifinal match against Carlos Alcaraz was marred by a heated exchange with chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore, which resulted in a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct. The incident sparked a fierce debate on social media and raised questions about the level of disrespect towards umpires in tennis.Medvedev's outburst occurred after Alcaraz hit a dropshot that he struggled to track down, leading to a "not up" call from Asderaki-Moore. The call gave Alcaraz a crucial break back, prompting Medvedev to utter something to the umpire.Although Medvedev's exact words remain unclear, lip-reading experts suggested he may have said "fck you." Asderaki-Moore consulted with the supervisor and issued a code violation. Medvedev went on to win the first set but ultimately lost the match 6-7 (1), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.In a post-match press conference, Medvedev dodged questions about his comments, claiming he said "something in Russian" that was "not unpleasant." However, the incident has reignited discussions about the appropriate level of respect for umpires in tennis.Just months earlier, Medvedev's compatriot Andrey Rublev was defaulted from a semifinal match in Dubai for allegedly calling a line judge a "fcking moron" in Russian. Video review later revealed that Rublev did not actually use the expletive.Other recent incidents include Hubert Hurkacz's mid-match rant against umpire Alison Hughes at Roland Garros and Jelena Ostapenko's numerous viral outbursts against umpires.The controversy has also raised questions about the use of video replay in tennis. Medvedev himself advocated for a challenge system to resolve contentious calls, arguing that it would eliminate situations like the one he faced."The challenge system shows a bounce. So if there was a bounce, it would show it," Medvedev said. "If we use it, we would never have this situation."Despite the ongoing debate, major tennis tournaments continue to resist the implementation of video replay. The lack of technology leaves players vulnerable to potentially incorrect calls, which can have significant consequences in high-stakes matches like Wimbledon semifinals.

Novak Djokovic, the seven-time Wimbledon champion, showcased his exceptional tennis skills to defeat Lorenzo Musetti, the 25th-seeded Italian, in a thrilling three-set match (6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4) on Friday. This victory marks Djokovic's 10th Wimbledon final appearance, where he will face the reigning champion, Carlos Alcaraz, in a highly anticipated rematch of their 2023 encounter.As Centre Court gradually filled up after Alcaraz's hard-fought victory over Daniil Medvedev, Djokovic seized the initiative in the opening set. In a breathtaking 26-shot rally, he broke Musetti's serve in the sixth game. Djokovic's passionate celebration ignited the crowd, but Musetti responded with a powerful forehand to break back and level the set at 4-5. However, a shaky service game from Musetti handed the set to Djokovic.Musetti made a strong start in the second set, showcasing his impressive backhand pass to take a 3-1 lead. Djokovic remained composed, gradually regaining control and elevating his performance. He clinched the tiebreak with a dominant display, setting the stage for a potential sixth consecutive All England Club final.With the prospect of a 24th Grand Slam title within reach, Djokovic seized the opportunity in the third set. He broke Musetti's serve in the opening game with a backhand crosscourt winner. Djokovic's tactical brilliance shone through as he mixed up his game, employing serve-and-volley tactics to keep Musetti at bay. Despite a late comeback attempt from the Italian, Djokovic held firm, saving a breakpoint and securing the victory on his fourth match point.

Carlos Alcaraz, the rising star of tennis, has once again proven his mettle by defeating Daniil Medvedev in the Wimbledon semifinals. The Spaniard rallied from a set down to secure a 6-7 (1), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory, extending his Wimbledon winning streak to 13 matches.Alcaraz's triumph marks a significant milestone in his career, making him only the second Spanish man to reach multiple Wimbledon finals. He joins the legendary Rafael Nadal, who has won the title twice and reached three other finals.The victory also underscores Alcaraz's dominance against the sport's elite. He remains undefeated against Top 5 players this year, with a remarkable 5-0 record. His previous victories include triumphs over Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, and Jannik Sinner.Alcaraz's success is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. He has consistently displayed a remarkable ability to adapt to different opponents and playing styles. His aggressive baseline play, coupled with his exceptional footwork and court coverage, has made him a formidable force on the court.As Alcaraz prepares for the Wimbledon final, he will face either Novak Djokovic or Nick Kyrgios. Regardless of his opponent, the Spaniard will be confident in his abilities and eager to add another Grand Slam title to his growing collection.

Vijay Amritraj, a former world No. 18 Indian tennis player, believes that the current generation of players, such as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, have the mindset to challenge and defeat Novak Djokovic. Amritraj, who defeated tennis greats like Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, and Jimmy Connors during his career, said that he knew he could beat them on his good days."When I played with Borg, Connors, McEnroe, the best of my generation, I believed that on my good day, no one could beat me. I was going to beat them," Amritraj said. "I knew that, they knew it, and I knew that they knew it."Alcaraz and Sinner have both defeated Djokovic in Grand Slam matches in the past year. Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in the 2023 Wimbledon final, while Sinner defeated him in the 2023 Australian Open semifinals."Now in their mind, they (Alcaraz and Sinner) know how to win against him (Djokovic) as well. Djokovic knows that, Alcaraz knows that, and Djokovic knows that Alcaraz knows that," Amritraj said.Amritraj believes that Alcaraz and Sinner have learned from their early matches against Djokovic and have developed a strategy to beat him."The important thing for Sinner and Alcaraz was what they learnt from the early times they played Novak. The thing that younger players tend to do against a great champion is when push comes to shove, they tend to force the issue. They don’t take a step back and say — you know what, I’m fitter than he is, I can stay with him longer over the course of a point, so I don’t have to force the issue and overdo stuff. Which is what would happen in the early matches. And that’s why Sinner was able to win in Australia and Alcaraz was able to win last year (at Wimbledon)," Amritraj said.Amritraj believes that Djokovic's fitness will be a key factor in the Wimbledon final. Djokovic withdrew from the French Open quarterfinals due to a knee injury, but he has looked strong in his matches at Wimbledon."Look, when everyone says, ‘Novak is done, he’s just had knee surgery, he’s wearing a brace, he’s not moving as well he used to’, the first thing I tell them is, do not bet against greatness," Amritraj said. "That is always going to be in Djokovic’s DNA. He knows how to handle his body. He wasn’t going to play this tournament to win one or two matches; he’s in it to win seven."

Carlos Alcaraz's Wimbledon quarterfinal victory over Tommy Paul was not just a tennis triumph but also a testament to his unwavering passion for soccer. The 21-year-old Spaniard, an avid fan of his national team, had been eagerly anticipating the UEFA European Championships throughout the tournament.When Spain's semifinal clash with France coincided with his own quarterfinal match, Alcaraz faced a scheduling dilemma. Determined to catch as much of the action as possible, he expressed hope that the matches would not overlap. However, fate had other plans.As the first set slipped away from Alcaraz, his focus shifted to the soccer match. But with his tennis match in the balance, he knew he had to regain his composure. Summoning his determination, Alcaraz rallied back to win the next three sets and secure a spot in the semifinals.Despite his victory, Alcaraz's mind was still on the soccer match. He reportedly arrived late to his post-match press conference because he was glued to the television, watching Spain's nail-biting 2-1 victory over France.Alcaraz's passion for soccer extends beyond mere fandom. He has a close relationship with Spain forward Alvaro Morata, and they have developed a "lucky" tradition of communicating before their respective matches. According to Alcaraz, Morata has told him that every time they speak, both teams win.As Alcaraz prepares to face Daniil Medvedev in the Wimbledon semifinals on Thursday, he knows that the stakes are high. But with Spain's Euro 2024 final scheduled for the same day, he will be juggling his tennis commitments with his unwavering support for his beloved national team.

Carlos Alcaraz's unwavering self-belief has propelled him to the brink of a historic Channel Slam, despite facing adversity in both Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year.At Wimbledon, Alcaraz overcame a one-set deficit against Tommy Paul, showcasing his resilience and ability to find solutions under pressure. Despite making numerous unforced errors and falling behind early, Alcaraz gradually wore down Paul, dictating the pace and forcing his opponent into mistakes.Paul acknowledged Alcaraz's unique ability to maintain his level and build momentum, even after making errors. "He can play some seriously amazing tennis," Paul said. "When he starts building energy, it feels different than most other guys."Alcaraz's confidence stems from his understanding of the length of Grand Slam matches. "I have more time to recover," he said. "I believe I can be back if I'm struggling a little bit."This belief has been evident in Alcaraz's ability to recover from setbacks. In Paris, he rallied from two sets down in both the semifinals and final. At Wimbledon, he faced a similar challenge against Frances Tiafoe, but managed to turn the match around.Alcaraz's next opponent, Daniil Medvedev, is expected to provide a tougher test. However, Alcaraz remains optimistic, hoping for a similar result to their semifinal encounter last year.Alcaraz's journey to the Channel Slam has been marked by his ability to downshift at the right time, much like Serena Williams. Even when his game falters, he can find his range and elevate his level when necessary."When I'm not playing my best tennis, I'm going to try to find solutions just to be a bit better, just to beat the opponent," Alcaraz said.Alcaraz's unwavering self-belief and ability to overcome adversity make him a formidable opponent. As he prepares to face Medvedev, he remains confident in his ability to achieve one of the sport's most challenging feats.