"Lot of similarities between Carlos Alcaraz & me" - Novak Djokovic compares his & Spaniard's surface versatility ahead of Wimbledon 2024 final clash
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are all set to contest their second consecutive Wimbledon final on Sunday. 12 months ago, the Spaniard had stunned the seven-time champ in five sets.
Djokovic, who will be keen to avenge that loss and equal Roger Federer’s record eight Wimbledon titles, spoke about the significance of the contest during his press conference after the semifinal. Noting that the Wimbledon final is one of the most watched tennis matches, the Serb said it has added impotence for those contesting it.
“The Wimbledon final is the most watched tennis match of the year all over the world, not just in England, so I guess it will add more importance to the day," Novak Djokovic said. "I’m not sure if I’ll break [Carlos Alcaraz]'s heart."
"I have no interest in doing that, I think he’s still very young even though he already has three Grand Slams and is going for his fourth," he added.
Djokovic conceded that Alcaraz’s win in last year’s final was a “surprise”, given that he (Djokovic) was considered the heavy favorite to win. The Serb had won the year’s first two Grand Slams and even led Alcaraz by two sets before going down in five.
He went on to heap praises on his opponents, while also noting similarities with his own game, especially in terms of the ability to adapt to different surfaces.
"[Carlos Alcaraz] surprised us all last year with the way he played at Queen’s and Wimbledon," Novak Djokovic said. "For someone who grew up in Spain you couldn’t expect something like that, or maybe you would expect more at Roland Garros, as happened this season, or at the US Open, as happened years ago."
"But the way he’s moved on grass these last two years has been great, I see a lot of similarities between him and me in terms of the ability to adapt to the surfaces," he added.
"Carlos Alcaraz is a very complete player" - Novak Djokovic ahead of Wimbledon final showdown
Dubbing Carlos Alcaraz a “very complete player” in his press conference, Novak Djokovic said the Spaniard can not only adapt to surfaces but even his opponents.
He went on to praise Alcaraz for having won three Grand Slams and having been ranked as the World No. 1 at such a young age, saying he is primed to gain a lot in his career.
"I would say that’s his biggest trait, [Carlos Alcaraz] has the skills to play well anywhere and adapt to any opponent on a particular day," Novak Djokovic said.
"He’s a very complete player, it’s impressive what he’s done at such a young age, I’m sure he’ll win a lot in his career,” he added.
Notably, all three of Alcaraz’s Grand Slam titles have come on different surfaces — hardcourts at the 2022 US Open, grass at the 2023 Wimbledon, and clay at the 2024 French Open.