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Serbian chasing record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title
July 12, 2024
Novak Djokovic in action at Wimbledon on Friday.
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Novak Djokovic in action at Wimbledon on Friday.
By ATP Staff
Novak Djokovic moved to within one win of capturing a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title on Friday when he ended Lorenzo Musetti’s run. The Serbian earned a 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4 win against the 22-year-old Italian to set a blockbuster rematch of last year’s final with Carlos Alcaraz.

In a hard-fought clash, Djokovic locked in at crucial moments, repelling Musetti’s court craft with impressive defence and consistency. The Italian fended off three match points from 0/40, 3-5 in the third set before Djokovic saved one break point to serve out and reach his 10th Wimbledon final after two hours and 48 minutes.

"There was plenty of doubt," Djokovic said about his chances of playing and competing at Wimbledon after undergoing knee surgery in June. "Coming to London about eight days before the tournament started I didn't know whether I would play the tournament or not. I was keeping everything open until the day of the draw. I played a couple of practise sets with top players and an exhibition match which proved to me I was in a good enough state to be not just part of Wimbledon but to go deep.

"I said before the tournament that if I didn't think I had a chance of going deep in the tournament I probably wouldn't be playing. The mentality is there, it is ever present and I am just very pleased and thankful to all the team members for helping me."

If the 37-year-old Serbian wins a record-extending 25th major on Sunday, he will become the oldest champion in tournament history. Standing in his way is Alcaraz, who beat Djokovic in a five-set thriller in last year’s final to win Wimbledon for the first time.

Djokovic, who leads Alcaraz 3-2 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series, will be eager to avenge that defeat and draw level with Roger Federer on a record eight Wimbledon crowns.


Djokovic arrived at Wimbledon having undergone knee surgery in early June. The 98-time tour-level titlist has moved freely during his five matches at The Championships and benefited from extra rest earlier this week when Alex de Minaur withdrew ahead of their quarter-final clash due to a hip injury.

In a business-like performance against Musetti, Djokovic won 59 per cent (17-29) of points on Musetti’s second serve but committed more unforced errors (34-31) and hit the same number of winners (34-34) as the Italian.

"I have said this story many times, but Wimbledon has always been a childhood dream for me to play and win it," Djokovic said. "I was a seven-year-old boy in Serbia, watching the bombs fly overhead and dreaming of being on the most important court in the world, which is here, Centre Court at Wimbledon.

"During the match it is business time. It is trying to do your work and outplay your opponent. I am very satisfied and excited to be in another final. I don't want to stop here and hopefully I will get my hands on that trophy on Sunday."

Musetti was competing in his first major semi-final, having clawed past Taylor Fritz in five sets. The 22-year-old produced moments of magic on Centre Court, highlighted by an around-the-net post forehand winner in the second-set tie-break. However, he was unable to join Matteo Berrettini and Jasmine Paolini and become just the third Italian player to reach the title match at SW19, making errors at crucial times against Djokovic to succumb.

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Meeting for the seventh time, Djokovic made a fast start on Centre Court to take early control. The second seed was impressive on second serve return in the set, winning 70 per cent (7/10) of points on the Italian’s second delivery en route to breaking twice to lead.

Djokovic was pushed hard in the second set by Musetti, who used his slice backhand to good effect to keep the Serbian at bay. However, from 1-3 down, Djokovic roared back to level and then showed his trademark mental strength at 5-5, 0/30, serving four unreturned first serves to lead 6-5. In the tie-break, the Serbian was patient in rallies and benefited from three Musetti backhand errors to move further ahead.

The seven-time Nitto ATP Finals champ then broke immediately at the start of the third with a backhand winner crosscourt and from there held firm on serve to seal victory. Djokovic also beat Musetti last month at Roland Garros and leads the 25th seed 6-1 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Queen’s finalist Musetti leaves London up nine spots to No. 16 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.

Did You Know?
Djokovic, who is into his 37th major final, is chasing his first title of the season. The second seed has won his past nine semi-finals at The All England Club, last losing to Federer in 2012.

Serbian into 10th Wimbledon final
July 12, 2024
Novak Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the final on Sunday.
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Novak Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the final on Sunday.
By ATP Staff
Novak Djokovic will aim to gain revenge when he meets Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday in a rematch of the 2023 Wimbledon final.

The Serbian, who defeated Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets in the semi-finals on Friday, admits that he sees a lot himself in the 21-year-old Spaniard, who beat the World No. 2 in five sets in last year’s final.

“He surprised I think all of us last year the way he played in Queen's and Wimbledon, which he won back-to-back,” Djokovic said on Alcaraz. “You would think that for someone growing up in Spain, as he did, the way he's playing, clay court, Grand Slam wins, which happened this year at Roland Garros, and US Open a few years ago was maybe not as surprising as Wimbledon. But the way he has moved, played the past couple of years on grass has been terrific to watch.

“I see a lot of similarities between me and him in terms of ability to adapt and adjust to the surface. I think that's probably his biggest trait, is that he's got skills to play equally well on any surface and to adapt to a given opponent that particular day.”

When Djokovic steps onto court on Sunday he will be aiming to clinch a record-equalling eighth crown at The Championships, drawing level with Roger Federer.

“Obviously I'm aware that Roger holds eight [titles at] Wimbledon. I hold seven. History is on the line. Also, the 25th potential Grand Slam,” Djokovic said. “Of course, it serves as a great motivation, but at the same time it's also a lot of pressure and expectation. Every time I step out on the court now, even though I'm 37 and competing with 21-year-olds, I still expect myself to win most of the matches, and people expect me to win, whatever, 99 per cent of the matches that I play.”

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Djokovic arrived at Wimbledon having undergone knee surgery in early June. The second seed has moved well through his five matches at the grass-court major, dropping just two sets to reach his 10th Wimbledon final.

The 37-year-old is relieved with how his knee has held up during the past two weeks.

“I wasn't sure until three, four days before the tournament whether I'm going to take part in it. I made an extra effort to recover as quickly as possible just because it was Wimbledon,” Djokovic said. “So I'm really, really happy to make the finals because I was not thinking about [that] in the first couple of matches. I was just thinking about moving well, not injuring myself and feeling more free to say in my movement.

“That's what happened I think in the third and particularly fourth round. I felt like, ‘OK, I'm actually playing close to my best, and I can have a shot at the title’.”

Djokovic will aim to win his 99th tour-level title and first of 2024 when he faces Alcaraz on Sunday afternoon in west London. The Serbian takes a 3-2 Lexus ATP Head2Head series lead into the clash but memories of last year’s final defeat to Alcaraz will still be fresh in the mind.

Relive the pair's five matches ahead of Sunday's Wimbledon final
July 12, 2024
Novak Djokovic leads Carlos Alcaraz 3-2 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Novak Djokovic leads Carlos Alcaraz 3-2 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.
By ATP Staff
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are set to renew their engrossing inter-generational rivalry in Sunday’s Wimbledon final, exactly one year on from their epic championship showdown at The All England Club, which the Spaniard won after four hours and 42 minutes of on-the-edge-of-your-seat tennis.

Djokovic, 37, and Alcaraz, 21, will meet for the sixth time in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. As is normally the case, the stakes are high. Alcaraz is looking to complete the rare Roland Garros-Wimbledon double and extend his perfect 3-0 record in major finals. Djokovic aims to tie Roger Federer for the most Wimbledon titles (8), become the oldest champion at the grass-court major and break a tie with Margaret Court for most majors won by a man or woman.

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From the pair’s first clash at the 2022 Mutua Madrid Open to their most recent encounter at the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals, ATPTour.com looks back at all five of their clashes. Djokovic leads the series 3-2.

Madrid 2022, SF, Alcaraz d. Djokovic 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5)
The 2022 Mutua Madrid Open was where Alcaraz showed he was more than just a talented player on the rise. After a memorable win against countryman Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, his tournament did not get any easier against top seed Djokovic.

In the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head encounter, Djokovic received a full taste of what Alcaraz is capable of. The home favourite brought a selection of power and finesse to the Caja Magica.

Alcaraz hit 51 winners compared to 24 for Djokovic, and sent the Serbian scrambling with plenty of drop shots. When it came time to seal the match, the teen did it in style with a booming forehand winner to upset the World No. 1 after three hours and 36 minutes and become the first player to beat Nadal and Djokovic at the same clay-court tournament.

"I know that I played a really good game,” Alcaraz said. “For the rest of the season I think I am able to play against the best players in the world and beat them as well, so it gives me a lot of confidence.”

<a href='https://www.atptour.com/en/players/carl ... ew'>Carlos Alcaraz</a>
Photo: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Roland Garros 2023, SF, Djokovic d. Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
When the 2023 Roland Garros draw came out, all eyes were on the potential of a semi-final blockbuster between Djokovic and Alcaraz. After their scintillating clash in Madrid, would Alcaraz be able to replicate his level against the World No. 1 across five sets?

Djokovic seemed in command early, but Alcaraz worked hard to win the second set and when he did, a classic seemed in the works. But instead, the Spaniard began suffering from cramp early in the third set and was never able to physically recover.

Djokovic was left to polish off an ailing Alcaraz and he did so without issue, ending their first meeting at a major without tension.

“I told him at the net. He knows how young he is. He’s got plenty of time ahead of him, so he’s going to win this tournament I’m sure many many times,” Djokovic said. “He’s an unbelievable player, an incredible competitor and a very nice guy, so he deserves all the applause and all the support.”

Alcaraz was open about his feelings after the loss to the eventual champion. He said: “I’m disappointed in myself honestly, and in a match like this, coming to this match with great feelings, feeling great physically, and cramping at the end of the second set, beginning of the third set, it was really disappointing. But these kind of things happen, and I have to deal with that.”

Caros Alcaraz/<a href='https://www.atptour.com/en/players/nova ... iew'>Novak Djokovic</a>
Photo: Getty Images
Wimbledon 2023, F, Alcaraz d. Djokovic 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
Alcaraz did not need to wait long to take his shot at revenge against Djokovic. But entering the Wimbledon final, all eyes were on the Serbian’s chase for history. Just two years after coming within one match of winning the Grand Slam (capturing all four majors in the same season), Djokovic was again in good position, having triumphed at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and being back in the Wimbledon final.

After the pair’s semi-final in Paris, Djokovic was the firm favourite at SW19. Not only had he demonstrated he was up for his younger rival’s challenge, but he was a seven-time Wimbledon champion, while Alcaraz had played just two grass-court tournaments in his career before 2023.

When the 23-time major winner stormed through the opening set, he appeared well on his way to extending his winning streak at the event to 35. Djokovic earned set point at 6/5 in the second-set tie-break but missed a neutral backhand into the net, changing the course of the match and history.

Alcaraz sprang to life, eventually winning a four-hour, 42-minute battle to earn his second major title.

“It’s a dream come true for me,” Alcaraz said. “As I said before, of course it’s great to win, but even if I had lost, I would be really proud of myself with this amazing run. Making history in this beautiful tournament, playing a final against a legend of our sport."



Cincinnati 2023, F, Djokovic d. Alcaraz 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4)
Fresh off a classic Wimbledon final, fans were once again in for a treat in the final of the Western & Southern Open, the pair’s first match on hard court.

Just a few months after Alcaraz was physically out of sorts at Roland Garros, it was Djokovic who did not look like himself in the Cincinnati final. Alcaraz firmly controlled the match up a set and a break as he looked to dial up his charge for ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by Pepperstone.

Had Alcaraz put together two service holds from 4-3 in the second set, the match might have been forgettable. But instead, he gave his opponent an opening and Djokovic turned their clash into a classic. He saved championship point at 5/6 in the second-set tie-break to force a thrilling decider.

Both men raised their levels and Alcaraz showed resolve of his own to break back when Djokovic served for the championship in the third set. Ultimately it was the 36-year-old who emerged victorious after three hours and 49 minutes, the longest best-of-three final in ATP Tour history (since 1990).

“Just overall, one of the toughest and most exciting matches I was ever part of and these are the kinds of moments and matches that I continue to work for day in day out,” Djokovic said. “I was never in doubt that I can deliver the 'A' game when it mattered the most and just thrilled.”


Nitto ATP Finals 2023, SF, Djokovic d. Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2
After four matches of razor-thin margins — save the final two sets at Roland Garros in 2023 — Djokovic scored the most emphatic result of this budding rivalry with a dominant performance in Turin. With the victory, the Serbian moved ahead in the Lexus ATP Head2Head series for the first time with a 3-2 advantage.

Djokovic's consistent and deep hitting handcuffed Alcaraz and denied the Spaniard the opportunity to attack from the baseline. While the 20-year-old was not at his best for much of the match, he fashioned a late push with big hitting after falling behind by a break in set two. But in the standout game of the match, Djokovic recovered from losing several thrilling rallies to escape 15/40 and hold for 4-2. He would not lose another game in the victory.

“I approached the match with the right attitude, the right mentality, and I knew from the very first point it was going to be greatly intense," Djokovic said. "He had break points right away, 15/40 in the first game. That’s Carlos. He always brings out his best in these kinds of matches and starts with a lot of high quality tennis and intensity. You’ve got to match that, try to weather the storm, and I did that.”

Djokovic backed up his win with another masterclass against Jannik Sinner in the final to win his record-breaking seventh Nitto ATP Finals crown.