You’re not going to win any awards for insight by saying that Carlos Alcaraz is looking blithe right now. What’s not to be blithe about?
After a maiden Wimbledon semi-final in which he swept aside Daniil Medvedev, the Spaniard is on an 11-match grass court winning streak. Now he is all set for the ultimate test of his greensward apprenticeship on Sunday against seven-time champion Novak Djokovic (whose own streak on the SW19 lawns ticked over to 34 with his win over Jannik Sinner).
All the same, as the No.1 seed exited the Centre Court after closing out victory, there was an extraordinary ease about his body language. For weeks there has been so much babbling anticipation about a possible showdown between Djokovic and Alcaraz, yet the 20-year-old is wearing all the expectation as if it were gossamer.
“For Novak, it’s just one more moment, but for me it will be the best moment of my life,” said Alcaraz in transparent delight. “Playing a Wimbledon final is something I’ve dreamed of, even better against Novak. It will be really emotional for me but I’ll try to stay calm.
“The semi-final today was one of my best matches on grass – probably one of my best [on any surface] on Tour. Grass could become my best surface. I always liked it, but more this year.
“It’s extra motivation to win the final against Novak, a legend from our sport. It would be amazing for me, super special. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.
“I grew up watching him. I admire him the most. He has beaten all the big guys, as I’ve said many times he has no weakness – a really complete player. He’s amazing. He does nothing wrong on the court. Physically and mentally he’s a beast.”
It can safely be said that Alcaraz is not afraid to talk up Sunday’s showdown. So much is at stake that the No.1 spot feels like the least of it.
Famously, Djokovic has not tasted Centre Court defeat since losing to Andy Murray in the 2013 final. His head-to-head against Alcaraz stands at one apiece, and surely the Spaniard’s minimum goal will be to avoid a repeat of the strange cramping which so hindered him in their semi-final at Roland-Garros last month. He now declares that problem to have been the manifestation of nerves.
“I will try to feel not as much nerves as I did there, try to enjoy the moment,” he said. “In France, I didn’t enjoy it at all in the first set. I’ll prepare a little bit different. I hope not to get cramp during this final. I will be better.
“I have a psychologist I’ve worked with since the beginning of 2020. She’s helped me a lot. I talk with her about preparing for the important moments. This time, physically, I’ll do the same [as at Roland-Garros], but mentally I will do some mental exercise to stay calm so I’m not nervous, and try to forget I’m going to play a final against Novak."
Among those intrigued by the prospect of the final is Medvedev, even as he licks the wounds of his own defeat.
“I didn’t play terrible in this semi but you need to be at your absolute best against Carlos,” said the No.3 seed. “If I’m in the semi I want to win it, play Novak on Sunday, hold the trophy. But it’s my best Wimbledon so far. I was one of the four best players in the tournament.
“I think, yes, Carlos has what it takes [to beat Djokovic] although they haven’t played on grass. It’s going to be tough but interesting, one and two in the world. We cannot say who’s going to win for sure. I’ll keep track of the score, but I won’t watch it.”
Not to worry. Rather a lot of us wouldn’t miss it for the world.
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