
LONDON — The Wimbledon men’s singles final between defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and second seed Novak Djokovic takes place at the All England Club on Sunday. The mixed doubles finals will also be contested.
Three-times Grand Slam champion Mr. Alcaraz landed in Wimbledon as the title favorite following his French Open triumph last month but few expected Mr. Djokovic to go far after his Roland Garros run was cut short by a knee injury.
The 37-year-old, who underwent surgery only five weeks ago, has defied the odds in his bid for a 25th Grand Slam, taking sole ownership of the all-time record he currently shares with Margaret Court.
Mr. Djokovic’s steady return to top form in an otherwise shaky season has left fans at the All England Club and the world over salivating at the prospect of another thriller like the one the duo dished out 12 months ago, when Mr. Alcaraz won in five sets.
Last year’s defeat by Mr. Alcaraz ended Mr. Djokovic’s quest for a fifth straight title that would have left him level with Roger Federer on eight Wimbledon trophies and the Serb will head to the clash on Sunday seeking revenge.
However, he will have his task cut out against an opponent who has never lost a Grand Slam final and is the youngest player in the professional era to win a major on all three surfaces.
Mr. Alcaraz has not been at his convincing best at Wimbledon this year but can still finish the tournament in elite company as a successful defense will make him only the second player in the professional era after Mr. Federer to win his first four major finals.
He can also become only the sixth man since 1968 to claim the Roland Garros and Wimbledon titles in the same year after Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Rafa Nadal, Mr. Federer and Mr. Djokovic. — Reuters