Tennis

Catherine, Princess of Wales, graced the final day of Wimbledon with her presence, marking her second public appearance since assuming her new title. The princess, who is the patron of the All England Club, presented the trophies to Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, the victor and runner-up of the men's singles final, respectively.Accompanying the princess were her sister, Pippa Middleton, and her daughter, Princess Charlotte of Wales. Unable to attend the women's final on Saturday, Kate and Charlotte met with champion Barbora Krejcikova, who gifted the young royal a racquet and showcased the prestigious Venus Rosewater Dish.Kate's return to Centre Court was not the only celebrity highlight of the day. A star-studded audience witnessed Alcaraz's triumph, including Tom Cruise, Gerard Butler, Julia Roberts, and Zendaya. The presence of these renowned figures added to the grandeur of the occasion.Alcaraz's victory marked his fourth career Grand Slam singles title, solidifying his status as one of the most promising young players in the sport. The Spaniard's triumph over Djokovic, a 21-time Grand Slam champion, was a testament to his exceptional talent and determination.The final day of Wimbledon 2023 was a fitting conclusion to a thrilling tournament, with Alcaraz's victory and the presence of royalty and celebrities adding to the memorable atmosphere.

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.

Nick Kyrgios's return to competitive tennis remains shrouded in uncertainty, but his recent practice session with Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon has sparked speculation about a potential comeback at the US Open.Djokovic, who defeated Kyrgios in the 2022 Wimbledon final, revealed that the Australian hinted at a possible return at the US Open, which begins in late August. "He hit a really good serve, and he said, ‘Well, I might come back at the U.S. Open.’ So I don’t know if he was joking about it or not," Djokovic said.Kyrgios, 29, has been sidelined for nearly two years due to knee and wrist injuries. He has played only one official singles match since October 2022 and has been working as a TV commentator during Wimbledon.Djokovic expressed optimism about Kyrgios's potential return, noting that he is "hitting the ball as good as ever." However, he cautioned that the transition from practice to tournament play is a significant challenge. "It’s one thing ... really practicing for like an hour or two, but completely something different when you are out there on the tour playing in a tournament where you have to come back every single day — maybe for four, five, six days in a row," Djokovic said.Kyrgios's wrist injury remains a concern, and Djokovic believes that he will only know how it will hold up once he plays in a tournament. "I guess he will also not know if his wrist will react well until he actually plays a tournament," Djokovic said.Despite the uncertainty surrounding his return, Djokovic expressed his hope that Kyrgios will be able to compete again soon. "I think everyone in tennis hopes he can come back quickly," Djokovic said, "because we definitely need him on the tour."

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.

Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis legend, has earned the moniker "Great Eliminator" for his unparalleled ability to extinguish opponents' momentum and demoralize challengers. With 24 Grand Slam singles titles and 98 overall championships, Djokovic has eliminated countless players en route to his remarkable achievements.In each match, Djokovic exhibits his Eliminator Mode, snuffing out surges and quelling positive momentum. Lorenzo Musetti, Djokovic's challenger in the Wimbledon semifinals, experienced this firsthand. After a spirited comeback, Musetti's belief was shattered when Djokovic entered Eliminator Mode, breaking his serve and extinguishing his hopes.Djokovic's ability to eliminate opponents is evident in his statistics. Despite Musetti hitting more winners and having fewer unforced errors in the first two sets, Djokovic's unwavering focus and ability to play his best when it mattered most proved decisive.In the second set, Musetti's jaw-dropping running cross-court backhand winner gave him a 3-1 lead. However, Djokovic steadied himself, held serve, and broke at love for 3-3. Unflustered, Musetti continued to apply pressure, but Djokovic engaged Eliminator Mode, hitting an unreturned serve, two aces, and a third ace to win the game.Djokovic's dominance continued throughout the match. He erased Musetti's one final chance, snuffing out break points and holding serve to secure the victory. The 37-year-old is now into his 37th Grand Slam singles final, where he will face Carlos Alcaraz in a highly anticipated clash.

Novak Djokovic, the legendary Serbian tennis star, is poised to make history as he aims to reach his 10th Wimbledon final. Standing in his way is the rising Italian star, Lorenzo Musetti, who is making his Grand Slam semi-final debut.Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, is seeking to equal Roger Federer's record of eight titles at the prestigious tournament. The 37-year-old has been in impressive form this year, winning the Australian Open and reaching the semi-finals of the French Open.Musetti, on the other hand, has been a revelation at Wimbledon 2024. The 25th seed has upset several higher-ranked opponents, including 13th seed Taylor Fritz, to reach the semi-finals. The 21-year-old Italian is known for his aggressive style of play and powerful forehand.The match between Djokovic and Musetti promises to be a captivating clash of styles. Djokovic's experience and court craft will be tested against Musetti's youthful exuberance and attacking instincts.If Djokovic emerges victorious, he will face either Carlos Alcaraz or Cameron Norrie in the final. A win for Djokovic would set up a rematch of last year's Wimbledon final, where he defeated Alcaraz in four sets.The Lorenzo Musetti vs Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024, Men's Singles Semi-Final will be played on Friday, July 12, at the Centre Court, Wimbledon. The match is expected to start after 9:30 PM IST.Indian viewers can watch the match live on the Star Sports Network. The match will also be streamed live on Disney Plus Hotstar app and website.

Novak Djokovic, the undisputed GOAT of men's tennis, has graced the cover of Vogue Adria's Summer 2024 issue, solidifying his status as a cultural icon beyond the court.In the aptly titled "The Greatest Of All Time" feature, Djokovic showcases his multifaceted personality through two striking covers. One image captures his serious side, clad in a royal blue Lacoste sweater and trousers, while a vintage racquet adds a touch of nostalgia. The other cover exudes playfulness, with Djokovic sporting a green robe and clutching a landline telephone while cycling. This playful image pays homage to his 2023 US Open semifinal victory over Ben Shelton, where Djokovic's post-match "hang-up" gesture mirrored Shelton's celebration.During the photoshoot, Djokovic channeled his inner DJ, spinning classic tunes from various eras. The Belgrade native participated in the editorial while recovering from knee surgery, demonstrating his unwavering determination.Currently competing at Wimbledon, Djokovic is on the cusp of history. Two victories stand between him and an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title. On Friday, he faces first-time Grand Slam semifinalist Lorenzo Musetti, aiming to secure a record-tying eighth Wimbledon trophy.Djokovic's dominance on the court is matched by his off-court charisma and style. His Vogue Adria cover is a testament to his status as a global icon, transcending the boundaries of sports and fashion.