Djokovic on Alcaraz: 'I see a lot of similarities between us'

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.”

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.