16 July 2023 , 11:11
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In the eyes of many fans, Novak Djokovic is the greatest male tennis player of all time.
Djokovic has won a record 23 Grand Slam titles, a joint-record six tour finals, the 2010 Davis Cup and even a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. There's not much the Serb, now 36, has failed to achieve during his glittering tennis career.
Yet Carlos Alcaraz, the man trying to end Djokovic's domination of men's tennis, doesn't idolise him like everyone else does. The 20-year-old Spaniard is widely regarded as the next superstar of the sport after winning last year's US Open at Flushing Meadows.
Alcaraz will take on Djokovic in this year's men's singles final at Wimbledon. The emerging talent is yet to win a title at SW19, while Djokovic is a seven-time champion. The latter will equal Roger Federer's record of eight men's singles titles if he wins on Sunday.
Yet Alcaraz would love nothing more than to stop Djokovic from sitting alongside his "idol" in Wimbledon's gallery of greats. "Roger has been one of my idols and a source of inspiration," wrote Alcaraz on Instagram after Federer's retirement last year.
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"Thank you for everything you have done for our sport! I still want to play with you! Wish you all the luck in the world for what comes next."
Federer, knowing he was interacting with a future Wimbledon finalist, told Alcaraz he was "enjoying watching your rise". The Swiss legend will be watching Sunday's final to see whether Prince can overthrow the King in what promises to be a monumental clash.
Most people will tell you Djokovic will win on Sunday. He's the odds-on favourite with the bookies because that's what he does, win. Only five men have beaten him in a Grand Slam final - Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Daniil Medvedev.
Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Nick Kyrgios, Matteo Berrettini, Dominic Thiem, Juan Martin del Potro, Kevin Anderson and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga have all failed to beat Djokovic on one of tennis' biggest stages. More often than not, opponents are comfortably beaten.
Novak Djokovic will need to be at his best to beat Alcaraz on Sunday (Getty Images)Who do you think will win the men's singles final at Wimbledon? Let us know in the comments below!
But there's something different about Alcaraz. He's young, hungry and been compared to his great compatriot Nadal. "When his adrenaline goes up, he’s practically unstoppable," said the 22-time Grand Slam winner when asked about Alcaraz.
Two-time Grand Slam runner-up Tsitsipas called Alcaraz "one of the most talented players I have ever seen", while three-time men's singles Wimbledon champion John McEnroe recently admitted: "Alcaraz is the best 20-year-old I’ve ever seen."
Yet that high praise is irrelevant. What matters is this - Alcaraz is the No.1 seed. Djokovic has the reputation and the expectation, but it's the kid who sits on top. Whatever people may think, that is why it'll be an almighty challenge for Djokovic to win again.
But Djokovic knows this. "He's hungry," the champion told reporter. "I'm hungry, too, so let's have a feast... Judging by the performances we have seen from all the players, I think this is probably the best finals we could have.
"We are both in good form. We're both playing well. This is probably the most anticipated finals I guess from the beginning of the tournament, from most of the people."
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The bookies may have their favourite, but it's impossible to tell who will be victorious on Sunday. One thing is for sure, though. Alcaraz is determined to write his name into the annals of history. "I don’t want to be the next Rafa," he said last year. "I just want to be Carlos Alcaraz. I want to make history and make my own path."
Alcaraz is done idolising Federer... and he's got no interest in cowering to Djokovic. Don't be surprised if the youngster's time is now.