Seven-times champion Novak Djokovic produced some of his best tennis to outclass Italian 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 7-6(2) 6-4 on Friday and reach a 10th Wimbledon final, where he will meet holder Carlos Alcaraz in a mouth-watering 2023 rematch. He celebrated the win with his now-familiar act of imitating playing the violin with his racket, a nod to his daughter in the stands who is learning to play the instrument, but he drew more boos from the fans.
After the win, Djokovic, who has had a love-hate relationship with the tournament, revealed that he had almost skipped the competition this season as he was unsure about his participation till the very last minute.
I came to London eight days before the tournament started. I didn’t know (if I would play). I was keeping everything open until the day of the draw,” Djokovic said.
“I played a couple of practice sets with top players and that proved to me I was in good enough state to not just be in Wimbledon, but to go deep into the tournament.
“That kind of mentality is there and is ever present. Thanks to the team members for helping me.”
Sunday’s meeting against Alcatraz will be the first time that the same duo will compete for the gilded Challenge Cup in back-to-back years since the Serbian and his and great rival Roger Federer faced off in 2014-15.
“I’ve said it many times, Wimbledon has been a childhood dream for me to play and to win… I was a seven-year-old boy watching bombs fly over my head and dreaming of being on the most important court in the world,” Djokovic told the Centre Court crowd.
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“I was constructing Wimbledon trophies out of any material in the room. It has been an incredible journey. I try not to take it for granted every time I find myself on this unique court.
“Obviously during the match it’s business time and… I try outplay my opponent. I’m satisfied and pleased, but I don’t want to stop here. Hopefully I get my hands on the trophy.”
On the day, Djokovic played some silky tennis and won in straight sets despite Lorenzo Musetti’s Herculean effort throughout the three sets of the match. Fans got behind Musetti, who was spurred into action as he broke back to make it 4-5 with a fiery forehand butthe 22-year-old gifted the set to his opponent after a shaky service game.
Musetti quickly made amends and inroads in the second set, producing a stunning backhand pass for a 3-1 lead, but Djokovic was unperturbed as he clawed his way back and raised his level significantly at the end to clinch the tiebreak.
With a sixth straight All England Club final and his first of an unusually patchy season within sight, the 24-times Grand Slam champion pounced for a break in the opening game of the third set with a backhand crosscourt winner.
Djokovic mixed up his game by serving and volleying to leave Musetti on the ropes, before staving off a late comeback attempt from the Italian to save a break point and prevail on his fourth match point when the Italian sent a shot long.
(With Reuters Inputs)