'A perfect Sunday' – Alcaraz eyes double sporting success
Carlos Alcaraz is one win away from defending his Wimbledon title after clinching a comeback victory over Daniil Medvedev.
Carlos Alcaraz is one win away from defending his Wimbledon title after clinching a comeback victory over Daniil Medvedev.
There will be another new name etched on the Venus Rosewater Dish on Saturday as Jasmine Paolini faces Barbora Krejcikova in the Wimbledon final.
Lorenzo Musetti’s “absurd” backhand winner against Novak Djokovic tops the shots of day 12 at Wimbledon.
Novak Djokovic moved to within one win of capturing a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title on Friday when he ended Lorenzo Musetti’s run. The Serbian earned a 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4 win against the 22-year-old Italian to set a blockbuster rematch of last year’s final with Carlos Alcaraz.
In a hard-fought clash, Djokovic locked in at crucial moments, repelling Musetti’s court craft with impressive defence and consistency. The Italian fended off three match points from 0/40, 3-5 in the third set before Djokovic saved one break point to serve out and reach his 10th Wimbledon final after two hours and 48 minutes.
“There was plenty of doubt,” Djokovic said about his chances of playing and competing at Wimbledon after undergoing knee surgery in June. “Coming to London about eight days before the tournament started I didn’t know whether I would play the tournament or not. I was keeping everything open until the day of the draw. I played a couple of practise sets with top players and an exhibition match which proved to me I was in a good enough state to be not just part of Wimbledon but to go deep.
“I said before the tournament that if I didn’t think I had a chance of going deep in the tournament I probably wouldn’t be playing. The mentality is there, it is ever present and I am just very pleased and thankful to all the team members for helping me.”
If the 37-year-old Serbian wins a record-extending 25th major on Sunday, he will become the oldest champion in tournament history. Standing in his way is Alcaraz, who beat Djokovic in a five-set thriller in last year’s final to win Wimbledon for the first time.
Djokovic, who leads Alcaraz 3-2 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series, will be eager to avenge that defeat and draw level with Roger Federer on a record eight Wimbledon crowns.
🌱 GLORIOUS ON GRASS 🌱
Djokovic prevails over Musetti 6-4 7-6(2) 6-4 to reach yet another Wimbledon final… 🔥<a href=”https://twitter.com/Wimbledon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@wimbledon | <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wimbledon?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/0dLaGvDvFQ
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 12, 2024
Djokovic arrived at Wimbledon having undergone knee surgery in early June. The 98-time tour-level titlist has moved freely during his five matches at The Championships and benefited from extra rest earlier this week when Alex de Minaur withdrew ahead of their quarter-final clash due to a hip injury.
In a business-like performance against Musetti, Djokovic won 59 per cent (17-29) of points on Musetti’s second serve but committed more unforced errors (34-31) and hit the same number of winners (34-34) as the Italian.
“I have said this story many times, but Wimbledon has always been a childhood dream for me to play and win it,” Djokovic said. “I was a seven-year-old boy in Serbia, watching the bombs fly overhead and dreaming of being on the most important court in the world, which is here, Centre Court at Wimbledon.
“During the match it is business time. It is trying to do your work and outplay your opponent. I am very satisfied and excited to be in another final. I don’t want to stop here and hopefully I will get my hands on that trophy on Sunday.”
Musetti was competing in his first major semi-final, having clawed past Taylor Fritz in five sets. The 22-year-old produced moments of magic on Centre Court, highlighted by an around-the-net post forehand winner in the second-set tie-break. However, he was unable to join Matteo Berrettini and Jasmine Paolini and become just the third Italian player to reach the title match at SW19, making errors at crucial times against Djokovic to succumb.
[ATP APP]Meeting for the seventh time, Djokovic made a fast start on Centre Court to take early control. The second seed was impressive on second serve return in the set, winning 70 per cent (7/10) of points on the Italian’s second delivery en route to breaking twice to lead.
Djokovic was pushed hard in the second set by Musetti, who used his slice backhand to good effect to keep the Serbian at bay. However, from 1-3 down, Djokovic roared back to level and then showed his trademark mental strength at 5-5, 0/30, serving four unreturned first serves to lead 6-5. In the tie-break, the Serbian was patient in rallies and benefited from three Musetti backhand errors to move further ahead.
The seven-time Nitto ATP Finals champ then broke immediately at the start of the third with a backhand winner crosscourt and from there held firm on serve to seal victory. Djokovic also beat Musetti last month at Roland Garros and leads the 25th seed 6-1 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Queen’s finalist Musetti leaves London up nine spots to No. 16 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.
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Djokovic, who is into his 37th major final, is chasing his first title of the season. The second seed has won his past nine semi-finals at The All England Club, last losing to Federer in 2012.
Daniil Medvedev is one of the best problem solvers on the ATP Tour, freely moving from plan A to plan B and frustrating opponents with his extensive repertoire. But the 28-year-old met an all-too-familiar roadblock Friday at Wimbledon, where he fell in the semi-finals for the second straight year to Carlos Alcaraz.
“Probably in my career he’s the toughest opponent I have faced,” Medvedev said of Alcaraz in his post-match press conference. “But I have time, I have time to try to do better. The match against Carlos was much closer than last year. Last year, I went out from the match and I was like, ‘Wow, that was a semi-final, one hour, 30 [minutes] or something like this.’ Very fast. He crushed me off the court,” he added about last year’s 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 defeat. “Today, I felt like that was not the case.”
Medvedev is drawing on positives from his two weeks at the All England Club, having earned a five-set quarter-final victory against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Even in Medvedev’s loss to Alcaraz, who won 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, the fifth seed showed flashes of his best level, pushing the Spaniard for two hours, 55 minutes.
[ATP APP]“I felt like I was much closer [than last year], was just a little bit worse in some important points, important moments. I feel like the plan itself, I was playing well and just it was not enough anyway,” said Medvedev, fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. “Tough, tough match. Carlos plays well. I feel like the plan I came up with was working not so bad.”
Alcaraz leads Medvedev 5-2 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, with three of those meetings coming at SW19. Medvedev won the pair’s first encounter at Wimbledon in 2021, but has since lost five of their past six matches. His second win against the three-time major champion came at last year’s US Open in the semi-final round.
“He’s tough to play,” Medvedev said. “I felt like I was serving good, definitely not worse than the other matches. Only five aces. He seemed to touch almost every ball on the court, like running well. I made some good points. I could have finished some maybe at the net, but didn’t manage to do it.
“In my opinion, he played much better than all the opponents I faced here before, and hence I lost. Not much more to add.”
The 2020 Nitto ATP Finals champion, who has claimed 20 tour-level titles, was asked to draw comparisons between the 21-year-old Alcaraz and the ‘Big Three’; Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
“Carlos, I don’t think he has anything from them. It’s different game style,” Medvedev said. “I think where Carlos is different from many players, we all have a little bit of our preferences, someone prefers defence, someone prefers to counterattack, someone prefers to be super aggressive. He can do all of it.”
Holding a 33-10 season record and still searching for his first title since Rome last year, Medvedev turns his attention to the Paris Olympics, which begin 27 July.
“Here I’m going straightaway to play Olympics on clay. I don’t know how it’s going to be. It’s not going to be easy. I’m not going to have much preparation because I managed to do a good tournament here,” said Medvedev.
“I have no idea how I’m going to handle it, if I’m going to be in peace, angry, or something like this. But, look, it’s one tournament. I have my goals in my mind, doubles, mixed doubles is one of them, one of the big goals because, honestly speaking, I don’t think I’m the favorite to win in singles or even to get a medal, but I’m going to try. I’m going to go there, enjoy it, and try my best on clay and then on hard courts after.”
[NEWSLETTER FORM]It was tight, but Carlos Alcaraz just about kept the Centre Court crowd onside during his post-match interview on Friday at Wimbledon.
After defeating Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals, Alcaraz discussed his upcoming second straight Wimbledon final appearance with on-court interviewer Annabelle Croft. Unprompted, the No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings dropped in a reference to another highly anticipated sporting event set for Sunday: The Euro 2024 final between his home country Spain and Wimbledon host nation England.
“It’s going to be a really good day for Spanish people, with the Euro cup as well,” said Alcaraz, who was forced to quickly clarify his comments as the home crowd immediately delivered some light-hearted boos. “I didn’t say Spain is going to win! I just said it is going to be a really fun day.”
A keen football fan, Alcaraz was cheered on by a legend of the sport on Friday as he recovered from a difficult opening set to improve his Lexus ATP Head2Head record against Medvedev to 5-2. Real Madrid star Luka Modric, who captained Croatia at Euro 2024, watched the semi-final from Alcaraz’s player box.
“Luka is a really nice person. We’ve met a couple of times,” revealed Alcaraz in his post-match press conference. “We spoke a few times and he wanted to come, and for sure I admire him. There’s always going to be a spot for him. Amazing guy, amazing athlete that I admire a lot. It’s great to have him in the box supporting.”
Big support for Alcaraz 👀 @lukamodric10 <a href=”https://twitter.com/Wimbledon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@Wimbledon | <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wimbledon?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/AjtmSbtyn8
— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 12, 2024
Appearing to have got away with just a yellow card from the crowd in the on-court interview, a relaxed Alcaraz was then asked about another sporting passion of his. The 21-year-old has spent some time away from the All England Club playing golf this fortnight and, while his ability off the tee does not quite match his tennis prowess, it has proven a vital source of off-court tranquillity for the defending champion.
“I’m so, so bad, compared to my tennis,” said Alcaraz. “I love playing golf. I’m not too good. I just find balls every time and can’t hit straight. It helps me a lot to turn off my mind a little bit, nothing to do with tennis, and relax a little bit. Tomorrow there is a huge percentage chance that I’m going to play golf, just to calm myself. I would say I love playing, but I’m not too good.”
[NEWSLETTER FORM]
Watch the moment Carlos Alcaraz beats Daniil Medvedev to reach the final of Wimbledon.
Picture the scene: a tennis coach in the player’s box, hiding behind his sunglasses, intently observing every point. The player on court tries to catch the eye of his coach, seeking some much-needed support during the toughest moments of battle.
In a sport that demands such mental strength and endurance, a solid connection with the team is like having an extra shot in your repertoire. A sturdy bond and trust in the team can help players deal with their emotions at the biggest tournaments on Tour.
[ATP APP]Now imagine that coach has been providing the player with that support since he was a child. Watching him grow, helping him mature, and helping him build his dreams as he makes his way to the pinnacle of the sport. Adolfo Gutierrez is exactly that to Australian Alex de Minaur, the World No. 6 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.
The Spanish coach, recognised as June’s ATP Spotlight Coach of the Month, has made loyalty and mutual trust the key to converting a young boy into one of the biggest stars in professional tennis.
“Since I met him, when he came to the club at eight or nine, it’s been a long journey alongside a boy who loved tennis,” remembers Gutierrez, who welcomed De Minaur to a club in Alicante, when the Aussie could barely see over the net. “Above all, he loved competing. If I had to define it in some way, let’s say he had an amazing journey, where the dreams we had always imagined have come true. That ‘imagine if one day we play…’ has become a reality and much more.”
<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/07/10/17/28/adolfo3.jpg” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Alex de Minaur and Adolfo Gutierrez have one of the most enduring partnerships on the ATP Tour. Photo: Esther de Minaur.” />
Alex de Minaur and Adolfo Gutierrez have one of the most enduring partnerships on the ATP Tour. Photo: Esther de Minaur.
De Minaur has prioritised stability in his working environment. Enjoying the form of his life in 2024, having burst into the Top 10, De Minaur has a secret weapon in his team: Gutierrez, who has known him for almost two decades.
Gutierrez and De Minaur’s bond is one that will last a lifetime. The pair holds no secrets and shares complete confidence to talk about any aspect of De Minaur’s career.
“It’s a journey in which the connection has gradually grown without forcing it,” says Gutierrez. “It’s the opposite of what people might think, we don’t need to talk to each other much. Simply, when he needs it, he knows I’m here. I’d like to define myself as a huge support in his life. I’m not his father, I already have enough problems with my own children [laughs], but I’ll always be there when he needs me.
“We used to share a room and we still do sometimes. Honestly, we’ve never minded, our relationship goes beyond that of a coach and a player. As we know each other so well, it’s simple, we respect each other’s space and we really get on very well together.”
A father to two children, ages eight and four, it comes naturally to Gutierrez to work on personal connections. De Minaur is the same boy who trusted his coach’s words from day one. He is still the same kid who wanted to stay by Gutierrez’s side when they had to go their separate ways for a time.
When De Minaur was 12 years old, and one of the best players in his age group, he was faced with a dilemma. Tennis Australia offered to finance De Minaur’s career and provide comprehensive development facilities to help the Sydney-born player become a professional.
<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/07/09/21/29/de-minaur-gutierrez-australian-open-2024.jpg” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Alex de Minaur shares a laugh with Adolfo Gutierrez at this year’s Australian Open.” />
Alex de Minaur shares a laugh with Adolfo Gutierrez at this year’s Australian Open. Credit: Kelly Defina/Getty Images
The resulting distance between Gutierrez and De Minaur did little to dampen their bond. Rather, those few years strengthened their forged connection.
“I look back fondly on those years,” said Gutierrez. “First, because we stayed in telephone contact. He came to Spain some summers and, also, we have a funny anecdote from it. I sat down with him with the idea of convincing him to go to Australia. He wanted to stay with me in Alicante, his family was important…
“Sitting down at the club, I told him what our life would be like, drawing it on the ground. I told him we would meet again, although really nobody knew if that would happen.”
Years later, with the plans for his professional career underway, De Minaur returned to Spain to keep working with Gutierrez every day. Building a solid team was a priority for Gutierrez, who began creating the architecture that now surrounds the Aussie talent.
“In the end, you surround yourself with people you trust, with whom you’ve worked before and who have always responded well. We’ve always had people that contribute to the ideas we were already working on,” said Gutierrez, whose brother Sergio, ex-World No. 156, was also in the box for a few weeks. “I always value honesty and hard work in a team, people who understand that working with a player means doing things exclusively for his benefit.
“On the team, for example, we have Emilio [José Poveda], who fulfills the roles of physio and fitness coach. I strongly believe in his work and professionalism. [Emilio and I] have been working together for almost 25 years and we know each other perfectly. I always communicate with him and I tell him what I want to see in Alex and what he has to improve. He takes care of the rest,” explains Gutierrez.
<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/07/09/21/34/gutierrez-wimbledon-2024.jpg” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Adolfo Gutierrez courtside at Wimbledon.” />
Adolfo Gutierrez courtside at Wimbledon. Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
The connection between the team is one that only comes with time. A young boy who dreamed of playing on the ATP Tour, now a contender for any trophy on the circuit would not be a reality without Gutierrez, who has co-authored every chapter in a book that is still only half-written.
“To me, the most important thing is his progress on the mental side. Now he absorbs pressure better, the load before a match, and he’s more aware of everything that surrounds tennis. He manages everything much better. To me, that’s the most important work we’ve done with Alex,” he explains. “Nothing surprises me anymore after so long, neither good things nor bad [laughs]. If I had to point to one thing, it would be a small step up in professionalism. He knows what he’s doing and he’s in no doubt about what he needs.”
Behind the ever-present hat and some of the fastest legs in the locker room, lies a hard-worker who just keeps breaking the mould. A level-headed kid with simple habits, completely unfazed as he attempts to make a space for himself in tennis history.
“Alex is a calm guy who likes routine. Maybe he’s a little disorganised, although Katie [Boulter] is working on that [laughs],” jokes Gutierrez, referring to the player’s girlfriend, who is currently Britain’s leading female player.
Enjoying more success than ever this season, De Minaur is looking to keep climbing. He is now a consolidated member of the Top 10 and a contender at the majors. Still, he remains faithful to those who were with him when he first stepped onto a court.
“We’ve always believed he could do it. It was a question of whether Alex would realise. Besides the specific work on each surface, it’s the confidence of knowing that he can do it. In the end, you work to achieve your goals and we know it’s not easy. Contrary to what many may think, we’ve never given in and we’ve continued every day with the hope and excitement in our minds. We’ve worked hard for that goal but we’re never happy and we’ll keep working more if necessary to keep climbing as many places as possible. We want to go further and further in the Grand Slams.”
Whatever destiny awaits him, one thing is constant for De Minaur. Gutierrez will be watching over him from the box.
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