For 15 years, Djokovic devoted his profession to being higher than them — not only for one match or one match, however perpetually.
Now that his rivals are on their means out, Djokovic has gone on the hunt for brand spanking new motivation. He has already largely vanquished one era of future stars — Medvedev, Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Karen Khachanov, who usually crumble in opposition to him within the Grand Slam occasions, half-beaten by his aura and his previous domination of them earlier than his first forehand sharply angles throughout the courtroom.
“Within the strain moments, he was enjoying excellent, not lacking,” Sinner mentioned. “That’s him.”
Now he has one other Grand Slam title in his sights, and the 20-something upstarts need to topple him earlier than he finally exits the sport. He doesn’t typically converse of taking any particular pleasure from beating gamers whose legs have so many fewer miles than his do, gamers who actually ought to be sending off an opponent within the second half of his thirties. However he did simply that, briefly, earlier within the week, after beating Rublev, who’s 25 and put up a stable effort within the quarterfinals, shedding in 4 units.
“They need to win, nevertheless it ain’t taking place nonetheless,” Djokovic mentioned on the courtroom when it was over.
Now comes Alcaraz for the second time in 5 weeks. Within the French Open semifinal, an overstressed Alcaraz suffered practically paralyzing full-body cramps.
Now, the 20-year-old Spanish star, the one participant youthful than 27 with a Grand Slam title, will get one other probability in opposition to an much more relaxed Djokovic, enjoying his ninth Wimbledon closing. Alcaraz has performed solely 12 matches at Wimbledon in his life.
“He’s younger, he’s hungry — I’m hungry too,” Djokovic mentioned. “Lets have a feast.”