Sinner seeks redemption, Alcaraz a three-peat in Wimbledon final showdown
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Indian Express
18 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Slight edge': Novak Djokovic picks favourite for Jannik Sinner vs Carlos Alcaraz Wimbledon final after SF exit
After his straight-sets defeat to world no. 1 Jannik Sinner, seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic admitted the wear and tear of his body could not match the supreme fitness levels of the Italian and Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic even said that his dream of a 25th Grand Slam may not be realistic with the new-gen guns Sinner and Alcaraz around on court. After his 3-6, 3-6, 4-6 loss to Sinner, the Serb put the final perspective and picked the two-time defending champ Alcaraz as the slight favourite for Sunday's finale at SW19. Reaching his fourth successive major final and a first at Wimbledon, Sinner became the first man since the Big 4 – Roger Federer, Djokovic, Nadal and Andy Murray – to mark a final appearance at all four Grand Slams. While Alcaraz has remained unbeaten on Centre Court since 2023, the Spaniard has yet to reach the final in the Australian Open. While Djokovic kept Alcaraz a rung higher than his semi-final nemesis, he offered the hard-hitting Sinner his chances too. 'Well, I think I will give a slight edge to Carlos as a favourite because of the two titles he's won here and the way he's playing and the confidence he has right now,' the 24-time Grand Slam winner told after his semi-final defeat. 'But it's just a slight advantage 'cause Jannik is hitting the ball extremely well. I think it's going to be, again, a very close matchup like we had in Paris, yeah.' Sinner is coming off a harrowing defeat to Alcaraz in the French Open last month, losing a golden opportunity after having himself at championship point. The Italian said the Roland-Garros blip is not playing in his mind as he sets himself up for another Alcaraz test. 'I think if it would be a lot in my head, I would not be in the situation to play a final again, I guess (smiling),' said the world No 1. 'I'm very happy to share once again the court with Carlos. It's going to be difficult, I know that. But I'm looking forward to it, no? I try always to put myself in these kind of situations what I really love. Sundays on every tournament are very special. 'But this is a question I cannot answer because I think it's something what you feel before the match and also during the match. I can give you answers after. But no, it's different. Different match. I'm looking forward to it.' Five-time Slam winner Alcaraz similarly downplayed his edge over the world no. 1. 'I'm pretty sure he's going to take a lot of things from French Open final, that he's going to be better. He's being to be better physically, he's going to be better mentally. He's going to be prepared on Sunday to give his 100%. I'm not thinking or I have advantage mentally Sunday because of that match,' said Alcaraz.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Wimbledon: Can Jannik Sinner crack the Carlos Alcaraz code in grand finale?
As Novak Djokovic slowly recedes as the final torchbearer of the Big 3, a fiery new rivalry is taking center stage - Jannik Sinner vs. Carlos Alcaraz. And while both are elite, it's Sinner who's often seen as the underdog - not because he lacks the skill, but because Alcaraz has taken his game to staggering new heights over the past three pulling off his stunning 2022 US Open triumph and becoming the youngest-ever world No.1, the Spaniard has only grown more dominant, with many predicting he'll smash a slew of records. Sinner, by contrast, has quietly built his empire - and now holds the No.1 ranking himself, having done so for over a Sunday, expect Centre Court to ignite as the two face off in the Wimbledon men's singles final. Just last month, they lit up Roland Garros with a historic five-hour, 53-minute battle - the longest French Open final ever, and the second-longest Grand Slam final of all time, behind only the 2012 Australian Open searching for answers In their head-to-head battles, Carlos Alcaraz holds a commanding 8-4 lead over Jannik Sinner. And if you narrow the lens to just the past two years, the numbers tilt even more heavily in Alcaraz's favour - he's won five straight against the Italian. The last time Sinner triumphed was at the 2023 Beijing Open did glimpse victory in their epic French Open final last month, surging to a two-set lead. But Alcaraz, true to his warrior spirit, rose like a phoenix and turned the match on its head - winning 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 at Philippe-Chatrier. The defining moment? Alcaraz saved three match points while staring down a 3-5, 0-40 deficit in the fourth set. How he clawed back from there is something only he not that Sinner hasn't challenged him - he's pushed Alcaraz to the limit time and again. But more often than not, the Spaniard has found answers. Now, with the Wimbledon title on the line and the World No.1 ranking in his name, Sinner gets another shot to prove he's more than just a challenger - he's ready to in awe inspiring formSince returning from injury after skipping the Madrid Open, Carlos Alcaraz has been nothing short of unstoppable. He's racked up 24 consecutive wins, clinching titles at the Italian Open, French Open, and Queen's Club (HSBC Championships) - and now, he's one win away from a historic Wimbledon he pulls it off, Alcaraz will join an elite club of legends - Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic - as only the fifth man to win three straight titles at the All England also riding a 20-match winning streak at Wimbledon. And guess who was the last player to beat him there? Jannik Sinner. Their only meeting on grass came in the 2022 pre-quarters, where Sinner took down Alcaraz in four sets: 6-1, 6-4, 6-7, fast forward to now, and the tables have turned. With Alcaraz in sizzling form, he may just hold the edge - though Sinner knows what it takes to beat him on this very Alcaraz on Sunday?Despite winning their last five meetings, Alcaraz isn't taking anything for granted heading into the Wimbledon final. He downplayed any perceived advantage over his Italian rival, acknowledging that Sinner is a quick learner - someone who will no doubt bring the lessons from their French Open showdown into Sunday's clash.'Not at all to be honest. What Jannik has is because he learned from everything, like the huge champion he is. From the losses. From the matches he's playing. He just gets better after every match and every day,' Alcaraz said in the press conference after beating Taylor pretty sure he's gonna take a lot of things from the French Open final. He's gonna be better physically and mentally. He's gonna be prepared on Sunday to give his 100 per cent. I'm not thinking I have an advantage mentally because of that match,' Alcaraz Alcaraz, his last two Wimbledon finals - both against Novak Djokovic - couldn't have been more different. In 2023, he had to dig deep to survive a five-set thriller; in 2024, he dismantled the Serbian legend in straight sets. This year's final brings a fresh challenge in Jannik Sinner. And while recent history tilts in Alcaraz's favour, Sinner is not a player to be taken lightly - not now, not ever.- Ends
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
Novak plans to play at least one more time
London: Novak Djokovic wanted to make this much clear after losing to Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals Friday: This was not a farewell performance. Djokovic intends to compete again at the All England Club. 'I'm not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today,' the 38-year-old Djokovic said. 'I'm planning to come back — at least one more time.' His 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 defeat at Centre Court against the No. 1-ranked Sinner put an end to Djokovic's latest attempt to tie Roger Federer's men's record of eight championships at Wimbledon and to claim an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title overall. Djokovic was not fully able to compete at his best level, two days after taking what he described as a 'nasty' and 'awkward' fall in the last game of his quarterfinal victory. 'I don't want to talk in details about my injury and just whine about not managing to play my best,' Djokovic said Friday. 'I do feel disappointed that I just wasn't able to move as well as I thought or hoped that I would.' He was visited by a trainer before the third set for treatment on his upper left leg, won the next three games and was a point from a 4-0 lead, but lost six of the last seven games. 'We all saw, especially in the third set, that he was a bit injured,' said Sinner, who will meet No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday's final. 'He's been in a very difficult situation.' Before this fortnight, Djokovic said he figured the grass-court tournament gives him his best chance at another major. His most recent came at the 2023 U.S. Open. At the next Slam event, the 2024 Australian Open, Djokovic lost to Sinner. At the French Open a few months later, Djokovic needed to withdraw before the quarterfinals because he tore the meniscus in his right knee and needed surgery.
