Expert picks are back for the Wimbledon final on Sunday, when Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic collide in a rematch of last year’s five-set thriller. A three-team panel previews the action and makes its predictions.
(3) Carlos Alcaraz vs. (2) Novak Djokovic
Ricky: Alcaraz won the 2023 championship match in five sets. Fast forward one year and Alcaraz is better while Djokovic is worse. That’s putting it in extremely simple terms, of course, but it’s the truth. Although Djokovic is still going strong at 37 years old by anyone else’s standards, he has not won a single tournament in 2024 and physical problems are mounting. The Serb looks close to 100 percent at Wimbledon despite his recent knee injury, but he might need to be 110 percent to beat Alcaraz. The Spaniard just won the French Open and did so without his ‘A’ game. He was also well off his ‘A’ game through the first four rounds of this event but in his last two matches he erased Tommy Paul and Daniil Medvedev in impressive fashion. Alcaraz is the younger, better player and it’s not like experience is a real factor for Djokovic given how many times the 21-year-old has already been on–and thrived in–these kinds of pressure-packed settings in the early stages of his career. Alcaraz in 4: 6-4, 5-7, 7-6(5), 6-3.
Cheryl: It’s usually a no-brainer to pick an Alcaraz-Djokovic final. And that’s typically true regardless of the surface or tournament. Yet I didn’t have either of them on my Wimbledon final BINGO card–in part because Djokovic just had surgery after the French Open and Alcaraz had exactly two grass matches as a Wimbledon tune-up. Defending champion or no, it was hardly impressive. Yet here we are.
This is a matchup full of potential that usually delivers but occasionally doesn’t. That’s mostly down to Alcaraz, who is brilliant when he shows up but abysmal when he doesn’t. He was nowhere to be found in the 2023 French Open semifinal–a fairly standard match from a physicality perspective, but one that saw Alcaraz doubled over with cramps (this writer can’t help but think these were mostly cramps of the mental variety). But then there was last year’s Wimbledon and Cincinnati finals and hoooo wheeeee. What a pair of matches. They were almost certainly two of the best of the entire year (Alcaraz won Wimbledon, Djokovic Cincy). I would be shocked if Djokovic doesn’t show us his best tennis of the tournament. The thing is that Djokovic hasn’t really needed to be great to get to the final. He had a walkover in the quarters against an injured Alex de Minaur and played Lorenzo Musetti to earn his spot in the final. Alcaraz, by comparison, has really worked up a lather and he had to manage an in-form Medvedev in the semis. Sometimes the extra time on court causes fatigue, but in this case I think it’s to the Spaniard’s advantage. Alcaraz in 5: 6-4, 2-6, 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-4.
Pete (Tennis Acumen): It’s a rematch of the 2023 Wimbledon final, and concurrently a showdown between the world No. 2 and world No. 3. They have won a mere combined total of two titles in 2024–both by Alcaraz. Nonetheless, no one should be surprised that Alcaraz and Djokovic are in the championship match. Neither player has exhibited much of their vintage tennis this fortnight, but each one has certainly taken care of business in the stages of the match that have mattered the most against all opponents. Hiccups along the way were to be expected by Djokovic given his recent injury and overall performance this year. For Alcaraz, the defending champion, an underwhelming level has been much more surprising given the opponents he faced en route to the final. As such, it will be Djokovic who will prevail as he corrects the course and reverses the outcome of the result from a year ago when the Spaniard won in five sets. Djokovic in 4: 6-7(4), 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.
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Once again this Ricky guy shows that he knows very little about the sport he spends way too much time writing about. It’s comical. Alcaraz won the French open but ran into a Sinner cramp and Zverev choke + bad umpire call in order to win it. He gets that win and is suddenly the best thing since sliced bread? Watch the sport pal. Alcaraz may still win but give a better take next time.
so Alcaraz is gonna lose the Wimbledon final because he got lucky at the French Open?
make it make sense lol
He didn’t get lucky at the French Open; he would’ve won regardless.
I’m a non-biased fan of Sinner, Alcaraz, Meddy, and Sascha.
I don’t listen to haters who post nonsense on socials. I listen to what Sinner, Sascha, and Meddy say about Alcaraz.
What an odd comment.
I thought Ricky’s preview was excellent. Thanks Ricky.
I still remember Ricky celebrating when Djokovic was emprisoned in a detention home and deported from Australia in 2022. Still his pinned tweet. Djokovic in a final at 37 while Ricky’s sweethearts in the retirement home. Ah life comes at you fast Ricky
didn’t know Ricky is a deep state supporter.
Lol. Ricky why are you censoring posts? Yup, covid was the product of your government. Just look at home much Pizer and Fauci pocketed.
how much …
Ricky wasn’t the only one (he is just simple tennis blogger), all other brainwashed sheep, Bill Gates worshipers, believing in vaccine that actually wasn’t real vaccine were celebrating, guess what, very next year Nole won AO in front of the very eyes of Bill Gates who was there, special guest in the final in RL Arena?!
Revenge is best served cold!
That was the most important Nole’s GS out of 24!
LMAO wasn’t a real vaccine??? Oh no what the hell did they put in my body??? And why??? Oh the conspiracy! Those aliens and the fake vaccine are trying to wipe us out!! GO ALCARAZ!! Go Humans!!
We know who you are Pavvy G. You’re fixated and in love with Nole
dude is an absolute psychopath is what he is
Ricky can’t handle the truth.
Gosh this is entertaining! More please!
karma is a bitch, ain’t it?
I had a debate with Ricky about the AO. He said his best bet was Sinner to win the AO and he was correct. We disagreed on why he bet Sinner when he predicted Djokovic would beat Sinner in that semifinal (before the tournament).
I am a man who will debate you, but back you up when I feel it is correct. Ricky is completely correct on this one. It’s a very simple outlook but sometimes simplicity is the best way. Alcaraz is more fit, younger and has every shot in the arsenal. Djokovic has had a great draw and a walk over. This coming from a HUGE DJOKOVIC fan!
The thing with Carlos is he is not always the best player in the match. When he is at his best and is firing on all cylinders, he’s essentially unbeatable. I think Alcaraz can be better in a Best of 5 for 3/5. Alcaraz in 5 with two tiebreakers.
Ricky, as always, I’m glad you’re a Republican and open to debate. It is what makes the country better; dialogue.
I agree. Ricky is not good enough to be having this job. Its time ro retire from tennis bro.
I am sure you are a great person.
Alcaraz by retirement: 6-7 7-6 3-0 RET
Vamos Carlos….in 3!!!
i agree, he should lose in 3. cheers mate.
Well played!
That was for Scoot!
Nole’s has an up hill task againgst carlos alcaraz ! The later is a much more complete player who can frustrate djokovic tempo and momentum ! Alcaraz can finish his job in 4 sets
Yeah, I’ve enjoyed Nole and been a fan of his talent. I picked him for the Final and had him lose to Sinner. The winner was a toss-up between Carlos and Sinner.
There was a chance to win the third set and take it to five. But the case was not strong with the bad or not quite recovered knee.
fantastic from Carlos, some of those shots were astonishing!
Novak looked undercooked, perhaps the draw did him no favours.
Lovely speeches from both!
Just come back from an afternoon on the coastal path and saw last few games. Presume Alcaraz,was very good and Novak not. Thought he looked old and heavy out there. It’s a huge achievement to get to the final after surgery but it feels like Novak isn’t facing reality about his age and his decline in form.
We need a Sinner Alcaraz final!
Congrats to Carlos, well done for defending his title and getting the channel slam!
Nice speech by Djokovic, he’s always gracious in defeat. He’s a great champion!
Well said, Luckystar.
Congrats to Carlos! Such a talent!
Kudos to Novak for being gracious in defeat. His children, Tara and Stefan, are beautiful and understand that it’s okay for Daddy to lose. 😀