Djokovic faces Alcaraz in Wimbledon final rematch with history on the line

Achieving greatness is not simple. It requires commitment, hard work, determination, and skill to reach the highest level in a sport. Carlos Alcaraz, at just 21 years old, could secure his fourth grand slam title with a second Wimbledon win, positioning him as a future all-time great. Novak Djokovic, 37 years old, is on the cusp of winning a record-breaking 25th grand slam title, a feat that may never be surpassed. The stakes are high as both players make history on the court.

This Sunday's match is a rematch of the final from last year, where Alcaraz beat Djokovic in an exciting five-set match. Now, a year later, Alcaraz has the opportunity to make history by winning both Roland Garros and Wimbledon consecutively, a feat only five men have accomplished in the Open era. On the other hand, Djokovic has the chance to surpass Margaret Court in total Grand Slam victories and tie Roger Federer's record of eight Wimbledon titles for men.

In the midst of all the commotion about whether Djokovic would even be able to compete after his knee operation during the second week of the French Open, to repair a torn meniscus, the quest for 25 has been somewhat ignored. However, its significance, both in the world of tennis and in Djokovic's own thoughts, should not be underestimated. This is what he has been striving for throughout a large part of his professional tennis career.

In the new book Searching for Novak, the enigmatic man is explored by author Mark Hodgkinson. The book includes a quote from Dusan Vemic, a member of Djokovic's coaching team for many years. Vemic shared that Novak's father, Srdjan, was not afraid to declare that Novak would become the greatest player of all time, even when he was just a young boy.

In 2010, Djokovic helped Serbia win their first Davis Cup, and from then on he had confidence. Back then, Federer and Rafael Nadal were dominating, so it seemed unrealistic. But now, Djokovic feels differently. He said, "I felt supported," and "I felt free to fly" after that victory because winning the first Davis Cup for Serbia was a very meaningful achievement, especially in front of our fans in Belgrade.

Following that, I likely experienced one of the most successful seasons of my career. I achieved victory in more than 40 matches consecutively and won three out of four major tournaments. It was during this time that I truly transformed as a player. I began believing in my abilities and realized that I deserved to be at the top, surpassing even Federer and Nadal.

At the age of 37, Djokovic has surpassed time and people's predictions. Although he appeared somewhat unsure at the beginning of the tournament, his performance has gotten better with each match. He has reached a stage where he claims to have no concerns about his knee anymore. Additionally, his determination is evident.

"I know that Roger has won eight Wimbledons, while I have won seven," he explained. "This could be my 25th grand slam victory, which is a huge milestone. It's definitely motivating, but it also comes with a lot of pressure and high expectations. Even at 37 years old, I still have high expectations for myself and others expect me to win almost every match I play, even against opponents much younger than me."

I know the importance of each grand slam I play in. There is always a lot at stake and history on the line. I will use this as motivation to give my best performance on the court.

He must do so because Alcaraz is feeling very confident after his victory in Paris. The Spanish player has won all three of his major finals and, similar to Djokovic, has gotten better as the tournament has gone on. With no more issues from his forearm injury during the beginning of the clay-court season, he is now able to unleash his powerful forehand shots.

Additionally, he is 16 years younger than Djokovic, marking the largest age difference in a major final since Jimmy Connors defeated a 39-year-old Ken Rosewall at Wimbledon and the US Open half a century ago. Djokovic holds a 3-2 lead in their head-to-head matches, but Alcaraz will surely use his experience from last year to his advantage. If Djokovic were to win, he would become the oldest major champion in the Open era.

"I am well aware of the challenge that awaits me in facing Djokovic," he expressed. "Having competed against him in multiple grand slams and Masters 1000 finals, I understand what is required of me to succeed. I am confident that he is equally prepared to face me. The upcoming match promises to be highly engaging, and I am fully prepared to tackle this challenge and perform at my best."