Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will meet Sunday in an epic Centre Court clash at Wimbledon to decide the 2023 champion at the grass-court major. Both will be competing with double motivation at the All England Club, with the pair’s third Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting doubling up as a winner-takes-all battle for World No. 1.

It will be another exciting chapter in a yo-yo year at the top of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. The No. 1 position has changed hands between Alcaraz and Djokovic six times already in 2023, the most in a season since 2018 (seven), with the Spaniard most recently reclaiming top spot after lifting his first grass-court ATP Tour title at The Queen’s Club just under three weeks ago.

Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings

Alcaraz currently leads Djokovic by 80 points in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings. It will be the second time he has contested a major final knowing victory would also guarantee him World No. 1. He defeated Casper Ruud in the 2022 US Open championship match last September to rise to the top of the tennis mountain for the first time.

Should he triumph for a fifth consecutive year at Wimbledon, Djokovic will on Monday begin his record-extending 390th week atop the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. Alcaraz is this week spending his 28th week at World No. 1. That tally places him 16th on the all-time list, ahead of ATP greats including Mats Wilander, Andy Roddick and Boris Becker.

Novak Djokovic punched his ticket to his 35th major final Friday when he cruised past Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals. Despite holding a record 23 major titles, the Serbian is motivated to once again add to his trophy collection Sunday when he meets World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in a match that will decide who tops the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday.

“Ambition is always the highest for me: always to win the title. It’s not changing regardless of the place in history books,” Djokovic said in his post-match press conference. “Maybe some people think that it would be a huge relief for me winning Roland Garros, being the only men’s tennis player with 23 slams. It’s not.”

Riding a 34-match winning streak at The All England Club, Djokovic is bidding to tie Roger Federer’s record eight Wimbledon crowns as well as joining the Swiss great and Bjorn Borg as the only players to win five consecutive men’s singles titles at the grass-court major. Djokovic stated that despite his experience playing on the final day of the tournament, he will still feel the weight of playing a high-stakes match.

“Pressure is there, it’s still very high,” Djokovic said. “I still feel goosebumps and butterflies and nerves coming into every single match. So I’m going to be coming into Sunday’s final like it’s my first. I don’t want to approach the final in any more relaxed way than I have in previous ones, meaning the intention needs to be clear. Goal and approach will be as serious and professional as it has always been.”

The 36-year-old has a clear priority: bringing his best level to the season’s four majors. Djokovic has captured the Wimbledon title six of the past eight years (event not held in 2020). This year, the Belgrade native has won the first two Slams of the year, triumphing at the Australian Open and last month at Roland Garros. Can Djokovic make it a trifecta by lifting the silver gilt cup?

“It’s no secret that Grand Slams are the highest priority for me, the highest goals on my priority list,” Djokovic said. “Every time I start the season, I want to peak at these four tournaments. I try to organise my schedule, training schedule, and my preparation weeks, and all the tournaments, according to these priorities. Last several years, my Grand Slam seasons are amazing. The results are fantastic.

“I have a good team of people around me. We do things in a proper way on a daily basis. I think that gives us benefits when we get to the later stages of a Grand Slam. Most of the players are probably exhausted a bit physically, mentally, or maybe they don’t feel like they can go a step further. I feel that the job is not finished until I lift the trophy.”

Djokovic’s ability to hold his nerve during pressure points is part of why he has won 27 consecutive matches at major tournaments. Such mental fortitude has also helped him become the first player in the Open Era to win 14 consecutive tie-breaks at the majors in a single season. Djokovic broke Pete Sampras’ record (12) in the fourth round against Hubert Hurkacz, and extended his streak by closing out his semi-final against Sinner in a third-set tie-break.

“I am aware of the tie-break streak. I think the longer the streak goes, I guess mentally the more resilient or tougher I am in these particular situations,” Djokovic said. “Coming into every tie-break now, I feel more comfortable than my opponent just because of the record. I think that my opponents also know about that record. That mentally makes a difference.”

On Sunday, Djokovic will meet Alcaraz, a man 16 years his junior, in a winner-takes-all championship match with World No. 1 also on the line. Djokovic won their most recent meeting in the Roland Garros semi-finals to level their Lexus ATPHead2Head series at 1-1. Alcaraz reclaimed World No. 1 from Djokovic when he won the Queen’s title late last month. Sunday will be the first time Djokovic and Alcaraz meet in a final.

“This is probably the most anticipated final from the beginning of the tournament, [for] most of the people. Alcaraz, myself,” Djokovic said. “It will be his first final at Wimbledon. We are both in good form. We’re both playing well.

“Yes, I do have more experience playing in many more Grand Slam or Wimbledon finals than him. Still, he’s in great shape. He’s very motivated. He’s young. He’s hungry. I’m hungry, too, so let’s have a feast!”

Did You Know?
Djokovic is just the third player in the Open Era (since 1968) to reach the Wimbledon men’s singles final aged 36 or older, after his great rival Federer and Ken Rosewall. By reaching his 35th championship match at a Grand Slam event, Djokovic claimed sole ownership of the record for reaching the most major finals, ahead of former WTA star Chris Evert (34).

Carlos Alcaraz became the fourth youngest Wimbledon men’s singles finalist in the Open Era (since 1968) on Friday when he defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 to set a title clash against Novak Djokovic that will determine which player is No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday.

Competing under the roof on Centre Court, the 20-year-old Spaniard showcased his deft touch and devastating power to become the third Spanish man to reach the title match at SW19, joining 1966 champion Manuel Santana and two-time titlist Rafael Nadal.

“It was a dream for me, playing a semi-final here, and now playing a final here at Wimbledon, I can’t believe it,” Alcaraz said. “I am going to enjoy this amazing moment.

“It was really, really difficult to close the match. I had to be really, really focused. He fought until the last ball. He is an amazing fighter. I had to show my best in that tough moment and play aggressive. Be myself all the time and I think that was the key to close out the match.”

The World No. 1 used the drop shot to great effect to overcome Medvedev in the Indian Wells final in March and executed the tactic again on London’s lawns, exposing the 27-year-old’s deep-court position. The top seed blasted 27 winners, broke Medvedev’s serve six times and consistently drew gasps from the crowd in a dominant one-hour, 49-minute performance at SW19.

With his 46th tour-level win of the season, Alcaraz drew level with Medvedev on the most matches won on Tour this year. The 2022 US Open champion will aim to move clear of the third seed when he faces seven-time Wimbledon titlist Djokovic in the final.

Alcaraz and Djokovic are locked at 1-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, after the Serbian defeated the Spaniard in the semi-finals at Roland Garros last month.

“It is going to be incredibly difficult but I will fight,” Alcaraz said when asked about facing Djokovic. “I believe in myself and I will believe that I can beat him here. He hasn’t lost on this court since 2013, so it is going to be a really tough challenge for me. I dream since I started playing to play a final here and it is even more special playing against Novak. It is a final. There is no time to be afraid, be tired. I will go for it.”

Medvedev defeated the then-World No. 75 Alcaraz in straight sets in the pair’s previous meeting at Wimbledon in 2021. The Spaniard is a different proposition two years on, though, having clinched 11 tour-level crowns since, and it showed against Medvedev in their semi-final meeting.

Alcaraz was locked in from ball one on Centre Court, hitting with great depth and precision to take time away from Medvedev. He also exposed Medvedev’s deep positioning, showing off his net skills to win 77 per cent (27/35) of points when moving forward, often feathering a drop volley that the 27-year-old had no chance of running down. He recovered from twice losing serve in the third set, raising his level further on return, before sealing victory with a stunning forehand winner.

Alcaraz, who is chasing his second major, entered the 2023 grass season having earned just four wins on the surface in his career. He has now won his past 11 matches on grass, having triumphed at The Queen’s Club last month.

Medvedev was chasing his first final appearance at Wimbledon, with his best result before this year a run to the fourth round in 2021. The third seed, who captured his only Grand Slam crown at the US Open in 2021, leaves London third in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin.

Did You Know?

The 20-year-old Alcaraz is the seventh man in the Open Era to reach multiple major finals under the age of 21.

Despite falling short of reaching his maiden Wimbledon final, Jannik Sinner is pleased to have earned more big-match Grand Slam experience. The Italian dropped just two sets en route to his first major semi-final before seven-time champion Novak Djokovic ended his run on Friday.

“I’m trying to play in these situations more often,” Sinner said. “I knew before the match already that it’s a tough match today, but that’s why I practise for. I felt like I was ready. I went with the right mentality on the court. I had a belief to win this match.

“I am not afraid to play these kinds of matches. The first semi-final is never easy to play. I felt like my level was good. In the pressure points, I messed it up a little bit. But it’s trying to take out the positives and looking forward.”

The 21-year-old, who became just the third Italian man to reach the last four at Wimbledon, also lost against Djokovic at The Championships last year. He fell in five sets a year ago, but feels his match against the Serbian was closer on Friday despite his straight sets defeat.

“Regardless of the score, I felt like I was more close this year than last year,” Sinner said. “That’s what I felt. I felt the level was better. I think it’s something positive from my point of view.

“I had chances in the beginning of the match. Then I had break points in the second set. Third set I had set points. I felt like I was closer this year than last year, even if last year was five sets.”

Djokovic has now won his past 34 matches at the grass-court major, most recently losing in 2017. Sinner was full of praise for the World No. 2, who will aim to clinch a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon crown on Sunday against Carlos Alcaraz or Daniil Medvedev.

“His mental side is very strong, for sure,” Sinner said. “Especially the important moments, he knows exactly how to play them. He’s not going to give you something.

“I felt like he has improved also the serve a little bit. And when he’s missing, he’s not missing on much. It’s always quite close to the lines. But still I felt like I was returning good the more the match went more. I started to play better. But it is a very tough serve to return because especially first serve is not bouncing high enough. It’s quite flat with a little bit of slice and everything.”

Sinner leaves London holding a 37-11 record on the season. The Italian is up two spots to fifth in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin as he bids to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time. The 21-year-old competed as an alternate at the year-end event in 2021.

A master at work on Centre Court, Novak Djokovic dismissed the big-hitting threat of Jannik Sinner on Friday to reach his fifth consecutive Wimbledon championship match. The Serbian delivered a typically classy all-around semi-final performance to prevail 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4) against the Italian and notch his 34th straight match win at the grass-court major.

The second-seeded Djokovic’s clean, deep returning was a constant menace to the Sinner serve and he was rock-solid under pressure as he saved all six break points he faced in his two-hour, 46-minute triumph. By reaching his 35th championship match at a Grand Slam event, Djokovic claimed sole ownership of the record for reaching the most major finals, ahead of former WTA star Chris Evert (34).

“In the semi-finals, it was always going to be a very tense, very close match,” said Djokovic in his on-court interview. “Three very close sets, I think the scoreline maybe doesn’t give the reality of what was happening on the court. It was super close.

“The third set could have gone his way. He had 5-4, 15/40 and a couple of second serves. He missed a few shots and allowed me to get into the tie-break. It was just a lot of pressure in the third, especially. I had chances early on, but he proved why he is one of the leaders of the next generation and one of the best players in the world that we have, no doubt. It’s great to be part of this new generation. I love it.”

3️⃣5️⃣ Grand Slam finals!@DjokerNole gets past Sinner in straight sets to reach his 5️⃣th consecutive Wimbledon final! pic.twitter.com/XxYEs6Vaht

— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 14, 2023

The victory was in stark contrast to Djokovic’s Wimbledon quarter-final battle against Sinner from a year ago. On that occasion, the Serbian was forced to rally from two sets down for a famous victory in London, but a similarly epic encounter never looked likely this time around as Djokovic’s grass-court nous shone through at key moments against his 21-year-old opponent.

Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the final at SW19 after the Spaniard later downed Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. The Serbian bids to tie Roger Federer’s record by lifting an eighth Wimbledon crown as well as to join the Swiss great and Bjorn Borg as the only players to win five consecutive men’s singles titles. Sunday’s clash with Alcaraz will also represent a straight one-on-one shootout for the No. 1 spot in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings.

The 36-year-old Djokovic has now won 27 consecutive matches at major tournaments and remains on course for a historic calendar-year Grand Slam after his triumphs at the Australian Open and Roland Garros earlier in the year. He is just the third player in the Open Era (since 1968) to reach the Wimbledon men’s singles final aged 36 or older, after his great rival Federer and Ken Rosewall.

“I’d like to believe that [I am playing some of my best tennis ever],” said Djokovic. “We play an individual sport, so you have to rely on yourself and try to put yourself in the best possible state, physically, mentally and emotionally, before going out on the court.

“I try not to look at age as a hindrance or a factor that might decide the outcome on the court. To the contrary, actually, I feel 36 is the new 26, I guess. It feels good.”

Djokovic’s dominance came after Sinner had made a promising start on Centre Court. The Italian carved out two break points with some powerful ballstriking in the opening game but his inability to take either of those opportunities proved immediately costly as Djokovic converted his only break point of the set in the next game.

Djokovic continued to expertly redirect his opponent’s groundstrokes to close out the opener and the second set followed a similar pattern. His consistency ramped up the pressure on Sinner, who played an error-strewn game to lose serve at 1-1. Not even a hindrance call against Djokovic for an extended grunt at 15/15 in the next game could derail his charge to the second set as he offered Sinner few opportunities to step in and take control of rallies.

Sinner was in danger of fading completely in his third Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Djokovic, but three big serves helped him escape 0/40 to hold in the third game of the third set and the Italian continued to club the ball ferociously to keep Djokovic on his toes. He was again unable to capitalise on two set points on Djokovic’s serve at 5-4, 15/40, however. The second seed held firm before reeling off six of the final seven points in the subsequent tie-break to complete his win.