Wimbledon: 'Dream final' - Mats Wilander gives Carlos Alcaraz key advice ahead of Novak Djokovic showdown
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Published 15/07/2023 at 17:21 GMT
Mats Wilander has given top seed Carlos Alcaraz some very important advice ahead of the Spaniard's eagerly anticipated clash with Novak Djokovic in the final of the Wimbledon men's singles on Sunday. Alcaraz saw his French Open run come to a screaming halt in the semi-finals as he got cramp against Djokovic, and according to Wilander, he can prevent a repeat of that nightmare.
'Could be one of the most important players we have ever had' - Wilander on Alcaraz
Eurosport expert Mats Wilander has previewed the Wimbledon men's singles final between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz with so much on the line for the superstar duo in their showpiece showdown.
It was always the climax to the tournament that most fans wanted with the top two seeds and best players in the world locking horns on Centre Court with the Wimbledon title on the line, and neither has looked like losing en route to the match.
Djokovic is gunning for an eighth crown at the All England Club and men's record-extending 24th Grand Slam singles title, while Alcaraz is hoping to secure his maiden triumph at the grass-court major and follow-up to his US Open glory.
For Wilander, it is the perfect final for fans to enjoy, but he has also given the Spaniard some important advice as he seeks to ensure that he does not suffer cramp - as he did in such heartbreaking fashion in his semi-final defeat to Djokovic at Roland-Garros.
"It is a dream final," Wilander said at SW19 as he looked ahead to the highly anticipated head-to-head battle.
"We obviously had a lot of dream finals with Federer and Djokovic, Federer and Nadal, and Djokovic and Nadal, but it has been a while since we have had that kind of clash.
"For me, these are the two best players in the world, and they are quite different in the way they play – you have an aggressive player in Carlos and then Novak's defensive skills on the grass court
"It is going to be absolutely mouthwatering and as exciting as you are going to get watching a tennis match. The anticipation is so high. I am excited.
"In Paris, I would say he was too prepared and started thinking about it as soon as he won in the quarters. It seems like he started thinking about it too early, and we heard that from one of his coaches.
"I think he just has to take it down a notch and chill out, which is not easy, to not be thinking about the final. He needs to work on things that might help him, but he just has to go through regular preparations, and he should be okay.
"He needs to not think about the final too much, and I think he learnt so much from their match in Paris."
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'He's in a bad way!' - Awful moment Alcaraz suffers cramp against Djokovic
Speaking exclusively to Eurosport's Wilander, Alcaraz labelled Djokovic the clear favourite ahead of their final at the All England Club.
“Everybody knows [Novak] Djokovic is the main favourite, me as well,” Alcaraz told Mats Wilander. “I know he’s the favourite, he’s won the last four Wimbledons, coming for the fifth in a row - 44 matches unbeaten here at Wimbledon, it’s something crazy.
“I’ll try not to think about it, I’ll try to forget all the stats he has here in Wimbledon. I’ll try to think it is one more match like every match that I played before, and I’ll try to show my best and find a way to beat him.
“It’s a dream for me to play a final here in Wimbledon, and it’s even more special against Djokovic,” he added. “He is a legend of our sport, and I always say if you want to be the best you have to beat the best.
“I want to win Wimbledon one day, but it would be more special if I beat Novak in the final. It’s going to be a really emotional moment for me. This is something I looked for since the draw came out, to play a final with him and I’m going to enjoy.”
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Stream both Wimbledon singles finals live on July 15 and 16, on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com
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