Novak Djokovic sends message to Carlos Alcaraz after setting up Wimbledon final rematch
Novak Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final
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Novak Djokovic showed his class by praising Carlos Alcaraz ahead of their Wimbledon final rematch on Sunday after breezing past Lorenzo Musetti in their semi-final clash.
Djokovic saw his unbeaten Wimbledon streak come to an end last year at the hands up a 20-year-old Alcaraz in an all-time classic on Centre Court.
And tennis fans will be treated to the second chapter of the Wimbledon rivalry on Sunday after Djokovic thumped breezed past Lorenzo Musetti into his 10th Wimbledon final.
It always appeared destined to be another Alcaraz-Djokovic final, particularly from the Serbian’s side of the draw.
Novak Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final
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He was aided by top seeds Hubert Hurkacz and Alex de Minaur pulling out injured, but Djokovic escaped his side of the draw with barely a scratch on him.
Alcaraz on the other hand required a nervy third-round tie against Frances Tiafoe to get him going having looked a little rusty at first.
But both players were well oiled machines in each of their semi-finals with Alcaraz fending off No 5 seed Daniel Medvedev despite losing the first set tiebreak.
In the other contest, Musetti showed flashes of what helped him reach a career-first Grand Slam semi-final.
But Djokovic was on another level to the 22-year-old as he eased into his 36th major final.
But Djokovic was on another level to the 22-year-old as he eased into his 37th major final.
It sets up another fascinating clash between Djokovic and Alcaraz on Sunday.
And the 37-year-old had a message for his budding rival ahead of their latest meeting.
Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in an epic encounter last year
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"He's a great example of someone who, as a young player, has well-balanced life on and off the court," Djokovic said.
"Great values in his family, a lot of charisma, carries himself very well on and off the court with a smile and that's why people like him.
"He's deservedly one of the greatest 21 year olds we've ever seen in this sport and we're gonna see a lot of him in the future.
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Lorenzo Musetti was no match for Novak Djokovic
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"He's gonna win many more Grand Slams, but maybe hopefully not this one.
"In the future when I retire in about 15 years - I'm joking!
"Jokes aside, he already beat me here in Wimbledon finals last year in a thrilling five-setter so I don't expect anything less than that - a huge battle on the court.
"He's as complete as a player as they come so it's going to take the best of my abilities on the court overall to beat him on Sunday."