Andy Roddick is one of many who simply cannot wait for today’s men’s Wimbledon final.
With yesterday’s women’s showdown whetting the appetite, as Barbora Krejcikova claimed just her second Grand Slam title with a win over Jasmine Paolini, attention has now turned to two of the world’s best men’s players set to clash on centre court again.
Having faced off this time last year, and with their head-to-head record sitting at three wins to two in favour of the veteran, predicting this one could prove impossible.
However, the American has sought to almost do it by revealing a tactic that must be employed to neutralise the young pretender.
Andy Roddick predicts Novak Djokovic Wimbledon final tactic
Speaking ahead of today’s Wimbledon final on his Served with Andy Roddick podcast, the former world number one sought to delve deeper into the trends that could decide this showdown, a repeat of last year’s final.
Whilst Djokovic has hardly endured the 2024 that he would have dreamed of, yet to even reach a final let alone win a title, he cannot be discounted from this clash with Alcaraz, despite his fine form.
This marks the second straight Grand Slam final for the Spaniard, who has endured a far tougher run to reach this stage as well.
Regardless, it all comes down to today, and Andy Roddick thinks there is one tactic which the Serbian must employ to multiply his chances of winning tenfold.
He claims: ‘A couple of things that I would look for on Novak’s side is… the pattern that is a clear, clear, clear, clear advantage for Novak in this one is him stepping in, sticking backhands to Carlos’ backhands, similar to when he used to play Roger. He basically would be on Roger’s backhand and say hey listen, if you’re going to beat me you’re going to beat me with that shot today.
‘And I think he probably is going to employ a similar tactic, watching back I almost feel like he opened up the court too often against Carlos last year in the final which is what he does so well, so it’s going to be interesting because if you’re Novak, I’ve said it a million times, people are going to roll their eyes, his superpower is changing directions.’
Given his renewed form, Roddick was already stunned by Djokovic’s Wimbledon run, having done something he deemed impossible. Discount the greats at your own peril.
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic: a rivalry that transcends generations
The impressive nature of both of these athletes is twofold.
After all, as the 37-year-old gears up to face the 21-year-old, that 16-year age gap has to be outlined.
For Djokovic, the fact that he is still competing at this level, for this calibre of title at his age, is mesmeric.
Should he win, he will stand alone atop the list for most Grand Slam singles titles, both male and female, and equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles.
Meanwhile, for Alcaraz, his youth is equally as impressive as he bids to retain his crown in SW19, a triumph that would mark his fourth Grand Slam title already at his age.
This is a rivalry that transcends generations, and the two really have no business competing at this level, which they have done so consistently, at their respective ages.
Today promises to be yet another intriguing final, and if it is anything like last year’s, we are in for a treat.
History awaits for both players, whoever should win the 2024 Wimbledon title.
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