Carlos Alcaraz believes facing Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon final will be ‘the best moment of my life’ as World No.1 downplays his chances
Carlos Alcaraz insists Sunday’s mouthwatering Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic will be the best moment of his life – and the world No 1 has vowed to stay calm after becoming overwhelmed by pressure in the pair’s last meeting.
Alcaraz suffered cramps and admitted to having buckled under immense pressure in Paris last month as Djokovic eased past the Spaniard on the way to a 23rd Grand Slam title.
But after beating Daniil Medvedev in a convincing 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory to set up a rematch with the Serbian, Alcaraz says he is instead relishing the occasion of completing his dream and playing in a Wimbledon final against his idol Djokovic.
‘It is going to be the best moment of my life, probably,’ said Alcaraz, 20. ‘Playing a final here in Wimbledon is something that I dreamt about when I started playing tennis. As I said before, it’s even better playing against Novak.
‘It’s going to be a really emotional moment for me. But I’ll try to stay calm at that moment. For Novak it is just another day, one more moment. For me, it’s going to be the best moment of my life I think.’
Carlos Alcaraz believes facing Novak Djokovic will be ‘the best moment of my life’
Djokovic awaits Alcaraz in the final as the pair will battle it out for the Wimbledon title
The Serbian has not lost on Centre Court for 10 years but Alcaraz is up for the challenge
Djokovic has not lost on Centre Court for 10 years but Alcaraz says he is up for the fight to end the streak. ‘Novak has been unbeatable since 2013 on this court so it’s going to be a really tough challenge for me,’ added the Spaniard, who has one Grand Slam to his name.
‘But I am ready for this. I have dreamed since I started playing tennis to play a final here… it’s even more special that it is against Novak.
‘It’s a final, it’s not time to be afraid, it’s not time to be tired. I’m going to go for it. I believe I can beat him here and I will fight.
‘This is a dream for me, to play a semi-final here and now to play a final at Wimbledon. I can’t believe it. All I can say is I’m going to enjoy this amazing moment. It’s time to keep dreaming.’
Alcaraz continued to repeat the added element of playing against someone he grew up idolising.
‘Well, I grew up watching him,’ he said of Djokovic. ‘He was beating all the big guys, Roger (Federer) and Rafa (Nadal), when he was younger.
‘Being the guy he is right now after everything he has been through is amazing. As I said before, he has no weakness. He’s a really complete guy, a really complete player. He’s amazing. He does nothing wrong on the court. Physically he’s a beast. Mentally he’s a beast.’
Alcaraz has admitted that he may ‘try to forget’ that he is facing Djokovic ahead of the final
And that mentality will be crucial in deciding this final, billed by many as the toughest to call in the last few years at Wimbledon. Alcaraz has been working with a psychologist after his tough exit at Roland Garros.
‘I have a psychologist that I have worked with since the beginning of 2020,’ he explained. ‘She helps me a lot. I will talk with her about how to prepare for that match, that important moment for me, that is not going to be easy.
‘Physically I’ll do the same (as normal) before the match. Probably in the mental part I will do something different, to stay calm, to show that I’m not nervous. Some exercise in the mental part.
‘I don’t know what I’m going to do, but I’ll do some exercise to stay calm and to forget – or I’ll try to forget that I’m going to play a final against Novak.
‘Right now is not the time to think about it. I will have time tomorrow, the day off before, to prepare for the match. I talked with my team. We will find a way to beat Novak.’
