Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic had the “privilege” of the first hitting session on Wimbledon’s Centre Court this year in a re-match of last year’s final. And depending on Friday’s draw, the Spanish and Serbian superstars could meet again in the final in the last match here on July 13.
Lunchtime showers caused the Centre Court roof to be closed before their 45-minute practice session played out in good spirits. Both players and teams were full of pre-tournament smiles during the phoney war watched by a handful of Wimbledon staff and media. And I was among the lucky few.
Before the start, Djokovic laughed: “Whatever he is doing in Ibiza, it is working. He always wins before and after Ibiza.”
After winning his second French Open title on June 8, the Spaniard took a brief break in the Balearics – where he took shots with Spurs defender Sergio Reguilon – before returning to win the Queen’s Club title.
The double Wimbledon champion now has four grasscourt titles. Of all active players, only Djokovic with eight has more. The mood was light but the hitting was serious in this generation game between the 38-year-old and the 22-year-old. Between Lacoste and Nike.
Djokovic fired one service return to Alcaraz’s feet before the Spaniard responded with a half volley drop shot winner: “Too good” said Djokovic. When the Serb fired down a huge face, Alcaraz said: “Yes, buena.”
After the Wimbledon champion hit a framed running backand pass down the line, he smiled: “Sorry. I closed my eyes!”
When Djokovic won a long point full of drop shots and lobs, he laughed: “First time I win this game of cat and mouse with you.”
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Alcaraz also needed brief treatment on what appeared to be a cut on his left hand. But both men looked in good physical shape and ready for action.
Before the practice set – which ended 5-5 without any breaks of serve unlike Alcaraz’s easy win in last year’s final – Djokovic gave a TV interview for The Championships while warming up on the green, green grass.
Asked how he felt to be back on Centre Court, Djokovic said: “As happy as one can be. You feel bad playing on it. It is so perfect. It looks amazing. It is a real privilege.
“Carlos Alcaraz as the defending champion gets the right. I am the sparring partner. I am happy he chose me.” The seven-time champion then said the balls rather than the courts at Wimbledon had changed since he made his debut back in 2005.
“Wimbledon balls are slower than they used to be,” he said. “It makes it extremely difficult to get past guys like Carlos Alcaraz when they try to get to the net.”
Djokovic’s last match was losing the French Open semi-final to Jannik Sinner. The Italian world No.1 then lost the epic five-set final to Alcaraz.
“It is a different surface, a different style of play but what they produced in the final in Paris was amazing.
“To be honest, I was in my country. My wife wanted to watch the final but I didn’t want to watch it. The first part of the match we went outside for lunch. We came back and I ended up watching it. Incredible, incredible match. Huge credit to both of them. It was one of the most historic matches we have ever seen.”
At 2.17pm, like in the local park, Daniil Medvedev appeared at the back of Centre Court waiting for his time slot. “You coming on guys?” Djokovic asked. “Normally, yes,” said the Russian.
The Spaniard and the Serb embraced warmly at the net as Medevev and Sinner then entered Centre Court with their coaches to meet and greet Djokovic and Alcaraz and their teams.
Defending champion Alcaraz will return to Centre Court for the first official match of The Championships on the main court at 1pm on Monday. The next two weeks will decide if the world No.2 and world No.6 Djokovic end their Wimbledon as they began it.
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