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Novak Djokovic faces the gauntlet to win Wimbledon

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Manan Mehta | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 10:47 PM ET

Novak Djokovic has been kept away from the Wimbledon crown for the past two years. On both occasions it was Carlos Alcaraz who stopped the legendary Serb in the final hurdle. As we have the semifinals line up completed, Djokovic has his work cut out if he has to reclaim Wimbledon supremacy and win an 8th Wimbledon title.

Djokovic faces a stiff challenge

The Serb will most likely have to go through the two best players in the world to win his 8th crown at the All England Club. He is currently drawn against no. 1 Jannik Sinner who beat him at the French Open semifinals a month ago. If he manages to turn the tables and get a win over Sinner he is most likely to face his Wimbledon nemesis Carlos Alcaraz in the final yet again.

The other semifinal is between American Taylor Fritz and Alcaraz. Most expect the Spaniard to win that contest and book a place in the final. If that happens it will be a hat-trick of finals between Djokovic and Alcaraz at Wimbledon. Even if Fritz pulled off an amazing upset and was the first American man in a Wimbledon final since Andy Roddick, he’s still a remarkable grass court player, playing some of the best tennis of his career.

Djokovic is showing great movement yet again on the grass and is serving impeccably well on crucial points. His main strength still being the mental toughness he possesses to believe that he can turn matches. Having lost the first set in both his previous matches including in the quarters against Flavio Cobolli, Djokovic has been able to turn matches 180° to gain supremacy once again. He will need that mental strength to work once again if he has to pass through both Sinner and Alcaraz.

The Serb should look to beat the top two players in straight sets and should look to complete the match in a shorter timespan. A long match might expose the difference between fresh and tired legs. Having said that if anyone has the best knowledge about the tricks to use at Wimbledon on the slick grass, it’s the 7 time champion. The fans will ponder over the next four days whether the Serb can ace this tough challenge. Many will believe as Djokovic time and again has shown he is ageless with some remarkable wins.

Facing Sinner, Djokovic has hope that Sinner’s game the last two matches has been a bit dull, but to beat Sinner and Alcaraz back to back, would be perhaps his greatest achievement, given his current age and performance on tour. Tennis is a young man’s game, and to turn back the clock, would propel the Serbian superstar to a level that no other male player has reached.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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