Novak Djokovic ambitious as ever as further history beckons

By Oli Dickson Jefford at Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic did not need to play vintage tennis to write yet another chapter of sporting history and open a blank page ready for even more come Sunday.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion has often produced his very best at the sport’s most famous venue and had to do so 12 months ago against this year’s semi-final opponent, Jannik Sinner, coming from two sets down to win their quarter-final clash in 2022.

But Sinner started Friday’s last four encounter just as he finished their match a year ago; on the back foot.

Djokovic broke in his opponent’s opening service game and he never needed to put his foot on the accelerator on his way to a two set lead.

Sinner held two set points at 5-4 up in a tighter third set, but a 15th straight Grand Slam tiebreak triumph closed out a 6-3 6-4 7-6(4) victory that Djokovic will not need long to recover from.

He finds himself in a 35th Grand Slam final, breaking Chris Evert’s 35-year-old record, and victory in Sunday’s final would be a 35th straight win at the All England Club.

Djokovic, ever superstitious, would notice the obvious parallels but there are two more numbers that will now surely preoccupy his thoughts.

Victory on Sunday would seal an eighth Wimbledon crown, equalling Roger Federer’s male Open Era record, while he would draw level on 24 Grand Slams overall alongside current leader Margaret Court.

“Ambition is always the highest for me: always to win the title. It's not changing regardless of the place in history books,” said Djokovic.

“Maybe some people think that it would be a huge relief for me winning Roland Garros, being the only men's tennis player with 23 slams - it's not.

“Pressure is there - it's still very high. I still feel goosebumps and butterflies and nerves coming into every single match. I'm going to be coming into Sunday's final like it's my first, to be honest.

“I don't want to approach the final in any more relaxed way than I have in previous ones, meaning the intention needs to be clear. My goal and approach will be as serious and professional as it has always been.

“It's no secret that Grand Slams are the highest priority for me, the highest goals on my priority list. Every time I start the season, I want to peak at these four tournaments. I try to organise my schedule, training schedule, and my preparation weeks, and all the tournaments, according to these priorities.

“I feel that the job is not finished until I lift the trophy - hopefully - and play in the finals of a Grand Slam.”

The only time Djokovic ever looked remotely flustered on Friday was when umpire Richard Haigh made a hindrance call against him, with a time violation coming swiftly afterwards.

But Djokovic, one for meditation - often spending time at the nearby Buddhapadipa Temple while in SW19 - managed to keep his emotions in check at a key junction.

He added: “I saw the replay. I saw that my grunt finished before he hit the shot. So I thought that the chair umpire's call was not correct.

“I was just trying to hold my things mentally together, and not really get upset, even though I was really upset because I didn't think it was the right call.

“It was a very stressful game for me to survive, a kind of storm. He [Sinner] was very close, he had a break point, who knows what would happen from that moment onwards.”

The 36-year-old will need to be cool, calm and collected come Sunday’s final against world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz, whose flashy game and extroverted personality will make him the crowd favourite.

But while Djokovic has been in this position 34 times before, Alcaraz is in just his second Slam final, and in just his tenth Slam overall; the advantage of experience sits heavily on Serbian shoulders.

“I want to take this title without a doubt. I look forward to it.

“It's going to be a great challenge, the greatest challenge that I could have at the moment from any angle really: physical, mental, emotional.

“I think this is probably the best finals that we could have. We are both in good form. We're both playing well.”