(Wimbledon) “They want my scalp, they won’t get it”: at 36, Novak Djokovic aims for a 24^e Grand Slam title and finds himself in the last four of Wimbledon with three of the best young players: Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner.

Between them, Alcaraz (world No.1), Medvedev (3^e) and Sinner (8^e) weigh two Grand Slam titles (the 2021 US Open for Medvedev and the 2022 US Open for Alcaraz). Djokovic (2^e) aims at Wimbledon the absolute record of Margaret Court (24).

Between them, the Spaniard, the Russian and the Italian have played seven Major semi-finals (two, five and zero respectively). Djokovic will play his 46^e.

The oldest of the contenders is Medvedev who at 27 is nine years younger than Djokovic. Sinner (21) was six years old when the Serb won his first Grand Slam tournament (Australian Open 2008). Alcaraz (20) had eight when the Djoker won for the first time at Wimbledon (2011).

These last two could face each other in a final in apotheosis with the place of N.1 at stake.

Even before reaching the final, Alcaraz and Dokovic affirm their objectives.

“I feel capable of winning the tournament”, assures the Spaniard, all in control to beat Holger Rune (6^e) into quarters.

Last obstacles

“I don’t want to sound arrogant, but given my results here, my four titles in a row, of course I consider myself the favourite,” says Djokovic (2^e).

The Spaniard is only playing his second Grand Slam semi-final, the Serbian his twelfth simply at Wimbledon where he can equal Roger Federer’s record eight crowns.

Before eventually meeting again, everyone has one last obstacle to overcome: Sinner for Djokovic, Medvedev for Alcaraz.

Between Sinner and Djokovic, the record is two wins to zero in favor of the second, who had in particular dismissed the Italian in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon last year.

Sinner had fought for five rounds, and had even led two rounds to zero, which none of the other six opponents of the Serb over the fortnight had managed to do.

But this year, not only is Djokovic demonstrating that he is the best player in history, but we are seeing “the best version” of the Serbian player, already winner of the Australian Open and Roland-Garros, believes the former N .1 worldwide Mats Wilander, consultant on Eurosport.

Sinner does not leave beaten, however.

“It’s going to be a completely different game (from last year). I will fight on all the balls and take advantage of the moment, knowing that I am able to go hard to try to beat him, ”says the Italian who joins the last four of a Major for the first time.

The importance of service

Since his confrontation with Djokovic, the Italian claims to have progressed physically – “I am stronger, I can stay on the court for many hours without suffering” –, mentally – “When we are in the top 10, we approach matches differently” – and tennis-wise – “I can play slices without asking me any questions and going to the net knowing that I have a good volley” –.

In the other semi-final, the players will be tied on one point: none of them had yet exceeded 8^are final at Wimbledon.

Medvedev had beaten Alcaraz in the second round in 2021, but the Spaniard remains on a victory in the final this year on the hard in Indian Wells.

“Indian Wells won’t have a big impact, it was so slow…Serving here will be more important,” said Medvedev, who had 28 aces in the quarter-finals (for a total of 57 in five games).

“Carlos is a fantastic player. But I’ve played against a lot of great players in my career. And if I play at my best level, I will have my chances,” he adds.

Alcaraz, who chained ten victories on grass counting his title at Queen’s before Wimbledon, was reinforced in his ambitions by his demonstration in the quarterfinals.

Although he recognizes that Medvedev is an “incredible athlete”, that he is able to “catch all the balls”, the Spaniard claims to have learned from his defeat two years ago and to have progressed himself.

“I’m playing very well and I have a lot of confidence now. So I think it will be a very good game,” he predicted.