Djokovic soaks in the boos to set up thrilling rematch with Alcaraz
Join Our Free Sports Newsletter For The Latest Updates On Everything From Cycling To Boxing!
Stay Updated With Our Free Sports Newsletter!
The timeless favorite is set to have a quick rematch. Novak Djokovic will go up against Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final this Sunday in a repeat of last year's thrilling five-set match. The 37-year-old is aiming to make history as the oldest champion in the Open era at the All England Club.
The championship match that everyone was excited to watch ended with Novak Djokovic defeating Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets. Despite this victory, Djokovic was met with boos from the crowd at Centre Court, highlighting the challenges he has faced throughout his career as a seven-time champion. Djokovic celebrated his win by mimicking playing the violin on his racket, a nod to his daughter. However, some spectators felt this gesture was aimed at them, especially after Djokovic had recently called out fans for being disrespectful.
However, a small number of negative reactions are not the main concern for Djokovic as he gets ready to compete against Alcaraz on Sunday. Alcaraz is being praised as one of the most impressive 21-year-olds in tennis, as Djokovic mentioned during his on-court interview.
No doubt about it, going back to the Wimbledon final - his 10th one - is a remarkable accomplishment on its own. Just a short time after having surgery on his knee, Djokovic is now in his first final of the season. He has the opportunity to match Roger Federer's eight men's titles and seeks to get payback for last year's loss to the young Spaniard. Djokovic's season hasn't gone as expected, but if he could pick one match to win in January, it would probably be the upcoming one in two days.
Djokovic received some teasing "good night" remarks after his remarkable interview following the match on Monday evening. Despite the occasional flashes of brilliance from Musetti, the Italian's flashy playing style and flashy shot-making won over the audience on Centre Court.
Musetti's impressive one-handed backhand displayed some incredible moments, showcasing his skill with at least two incredible shots during the match. However, Djokovic's experience shone through as he battled back to take the lead in the second set. This marked Djokovic's 37th grand slam final, highlighting his mastery of the game. Despite the 22-year-old Italian's strong performance, Djokovic's expertise in five-set matches ultimately led him to victory in his 49th grand slam semi-final.
At this high level of play, the crucial tiebreak at the end of the second set really highlighted the contrast between the two players. Musetti hit an amazing winner with a powerful forehand that barely made it past the net-post and the umpire's chair, landing right on the line. However, Djokovic was more reliable and steady in keeping the rallies going. The second set was intense and exciting, but Djokovic decisively closed it out. Musetti had some impressive shots, but Djokovic had the tactics and skills to come out on top.
During the match, Dokovic was put to the test and he performed exceptionally well. Musetti, his opponent, was confident and in good shape. The Italian's powerful backhand slice, aimed low towards Djokovic's backhand side, made him bend down on his injured right knee. This had the potential to create difficulties for the seven-time champion. Despite Musetti's lack of experience in Wimbledon semi-finals, he had won more matches on grass this season than any other player on the tour.
But he had also learned the harsh reality of going up against Djokovic in important tennis tournaments. Musetti was winning against Djokovic by two sets in the fourth round of the 2021 French Open, but then he lost focus and had to retire in the fifth set. Just last month, Musetti was ahead of Djokovic by two sets to one in the third round of the French Open before Djokovic made a comeback and won a memorable match at 3am.
As Musetti stepped onto Centre Court and contributed to an exciting match with long rallies that pushed the stadium to its maximum capacity, his unique spin brought a new element to the game. Meanwhile, Djokovic maintained dominance, showcasing his skill at the net. He secured a break in the middle of the first set with a memorable rally, prompting a few quiet cheers from the spectators.
Truly, a standout moment in the match occurred before the game even began, as the players stepped onto the court. Djokovic made his return to Centre Court after advancing to the semi-finals due to Alex de Minaur's injury withdrawal in the quarter-finals. This was Djokovic's first appearance on Centre Court since his controversial interaction with the crowd following his victory over Holger Rune.
However, after Alcaraz beat Daniil Medvedev in four sets to advance to the semi-finals, there were only a few people in Centre Court when Djokovic and Musetti entered to some quiet clapping. Would fans cheer for Musetti's good shots like they did for Ruud on Monday night? It seemed unlikely, but the crowd was mostly cheering for the underdog - getting excited when Musetti hit his first impressive winner.
In the second tiebreaker, Musetti showed off his impressive passing shot up the line, but Djokovic was able to win the crucial points by staying strong in the baseline exchanges and forcing errors from Musetti. Djokovic ultimately won the tiebreak 7-2 and in the next game of the third set, he seemed to dominate his opponent. Musetti made a mistake with a forehand shot, giving Djokovic a break point. Musetti could do nothing but watch as Djokovic outplayed him in a long rally, ending with a powerful backhand pass across the court.
The climax of the match was filled with great excitement. Despite the crowd wanting more, Musetti managed to save three match points with the audience cheering "LO-REN-ZO." However, Djokovic remained focused and managed to secure the win on the fourth match point, causing the Italian player to make a mistake. Alcaraz is expected to be the crowd favorite on Sunday, both in the stands and on the court, but Djokovic is in a position he is comfortable with.
