 "Novak Djokovic reacts after defeating Lorenzo Musetti in their Wimbledon semi-final. Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the title match on Sunday. AP")
Novak Djokovic believes Carlos Alcaraz will rack up more Grand Slam titles in his career, but the Serb hopes that run doesn’t continue when they clash in a blockbuster Wimbledon final on Sunday.
Djokovic will equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles and become the tournament’s oldest champion in the Open Era if he avenges last year’s All England Club final loss to Alcaraz.
The 37-year-old will also claim a 25th Grand Slam title, a record for men and women, just five weeks after undergoing knee surgery.
The Serb knows the threat posed by Alcaraz, who recovered from losing the first set to dispatch Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals.
“He is a great example as a young player that has a well balanced life on and off the court. He has great values in his family and a lot of charisma,” said Djokovic, who will be playing in his first final of the year on Sunday.
“He is deservedly one of the greatest 21-year-olds we have seen in this sport. We will see a lot of him in the future no doubt.
“He is going to win many more Grand Slams, but hopefully in two days not this one.”
Djokovic progressed to his 10th Wimbledon final with a straight-sets victory over Lorenzo Musetti.
He has a 3-2 head-to-head record over Alcaraz, who is 16 years his junior.
Since losing last year’s Wimbledon final, Djokovic came out on top in the US Open title match and in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals in Turin.
“He has already beaten me here in a thrilling five-setter. I don’t expect anything less than that (on Sunday),” said Djokovic.
“He is complete as a player as they come. It is going to take my best ability to beat him.”
Alcaraz will take to the court in his fourth Grand Slam final after winning the French Open this year, lifting the Wimbledon trophy 12 months ago and landing the US Open title in 2022.