Djokovic is trying to equivalent Roger Federer’s report of 8 titles on the All England Club and fit Margaret Court’s all-time mark of 24 Grand Slam crowns.
Having already pocketed the Australian Open and French Open in 2023, victory on Sunday would put the 36-year-old only one primary clear of finishing the primary males’s calendar Grand Slam since 1969.
“It’s the ultimate showdown,” mentioned Djokovic, who might be enjoying in a report thirty fifth Grand Slam last.
“Everything comes down to one match. All eyes of the Tennis and the sports world will be directed at this Sunday’s Wimbledon final. It’s probably the most watched tennis match globally.”
At 20, Alcaraz is Djokovic’s junior via 16 years.
When Djokovic captured the primary of his 23 majors on the 2008 Australian Open, the Spaniard used to be nonetheless 3 months shy of his 5th birthday.
Djokovic can transform Wimbledon’s oldest champion whilst Alcaraz is bidding to be its 3rd youngest after Boris Becker and Bjorn Borg.
“I obviously have more experience. It can help a little bit in some important moments, beginning the match, managing the nerves, managing the occasion, circumstances,” mentioned Djokovic.
“But it’s not going to be the deciding factor really. Whoever, on a given day, is in a better state, mentally and physically, will be the winner.”
Djokovic gained the thoughts video games when the pair clashed within the French Open semi-finals in June.
Alcaraz suffered frame cramping, a bodily ailment introduced on, he freely admitted, simply by the sight of Djokovic at the different facet of the web.
“If you think how big he is, you struggle,” admitted Italy’s Jannik Sinner who used to be blown off courtroom via Djokovic in Friday’s semi-final.
The reminiscence of his Paris cave in continues to be uncooked for Alcaraz who plans a chain of psychological workout routines to counter the strain on Sunday.
“I’ll try to forget that I’m going to play a final against Novak,” he mentioned.
Sunday might be Alcaraz’s first Wimbledon last in simply his fourth grass-court tournament.
Djokovic is in his 9th championship fit on the All England Club.
The Serb has gained 34 successive suits on the event and has no longer been overwhelmed on Center Court since dropping the 2013 last to Andy Murray.
“He’s in great shape,” Djokovic mentioned of Alcaraz. “He’s very motivated. He’s young. He’s hungry. I’m hungry, too, so let’s have a feast.”
Their development to the overall has been identical.
Both have handiest misplaced two units. They have spent just about the same quantity of time on courtroom.
“This is going to be the best moment of my life,” mentioned Alcaraz who objectives to transform the 3rd Spanish males’s champion after Manuel Santana in 1966 and Rafael Nadal, who gained the name in 2008 and 2010.
“Playing a final here in Wimbledon is something that I dream about when I start playing tennis.
“It’s even higher enjoying in opposition to Novak. It’s going to be a in reality emotional second for me. For Novak is yet another day, yet another second,” added Alcaraz who described Djokovic as a “legend” of tennis.
Alcaraz will likely enjoy most of the crowd support as All England Club fans, in common with most around the world, remain stoically ambivalent of Djokovic despite his status in the game.
There were wild cheers when Alcaraz told a courtside TV interviewer after his semi-final demolition of Daniil Medvedev that he believed he could beat Djokovic and that it was “no time to be afraid”.
Just hours earlier, Djokovic had feigned mock tears and cupped his ear in response to his pro-Sinner supporters.
“All love. It’s all love. All love and acceptance,” he told reporters.
Alcaraz will go into the final backed by a ringing endorsement from three-time Wimbledon champion John McEnroe.
“He’s the most productive 20-year-old I’ve ever observed in my lifestyles. He has the entirety — fantastic recreation, fantastic athlete, nice character. He’s higher than Federer at that age, higher than they all,” the American advised the bbc.