Djokovic anticipates epic Wimbledon final showdown with Alcaraz, promises a 'feast'
The Serbian star commends Alcaraz’s skills and character, describing him as an amazing player and a great person off the court
By Shailesh SolankiJul 15, 2023
Novak Djokovic, the tennis maestro, is eagerly looking forward to his upcoming Wimbledon final against the young and talented Carlos Alcaraz. The Serbian star acknowledges the anticipation surrounding this match and expresses his admiration for Alcaraz's remarkable rise in the tournament.
"He's so young, but he's incredibly consistent now, also on grass. Which I don't think many people expected him to play so well because his game is basically built and constructed and developed for clay mostly or slower hard courts. But he's been incredibly successful in adapting to the surfaces and demands and challenges of opponents on a given day," Djokovic said about his opponent for the final.
Reflecting on their previous encounter in Paris, Djokovic recalls the high level of tennis they both showcased until Alcaraz faced physical struggles.
"I think we really took the level of tennis very high. I think was great for the audience and great for us players to be part of that," he said.
The Serbian star commends Alcaraz's skills and character, describing him as an amazing player and a great person off the court. "He carries himself very, very well. He respects the history of the sport, respects everyone. No bad words about him at all," Djokovic said.
As Djokovic prepares for the final, the 36-year-old recognizes the immense challenge ahead, expressing his hunger and determination to claim the title. He sees the match as a test that will push him physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Carlos Alcaraz revealed his admiration for Djokovic and expressed his eagerness to compete against him on such a grand stage.
"This is going to be the best moment of my life - probably. Playing a final in Wimbledon is something that I dreamt about when I started playing tennis. As I said before, it's even better playing against Novak," the Spanish star said.
The 20-year-old remains determined to stay calm and composed during the match, understanding that for Djokovic, it is just another day in his illustrious career.
Alcaraz's admiration for Djokovic runs deep, as he grew up watching the Serbian maestro conquer the tennis world. "He was beating all the big guys, Roger (Federer) and Rafa (Nadal), when he was younger. Being the guy he is right now, everything he has been through is amazing. As I said before, he has no weakness. He's a really complete guy, a really complete player," he said.
The clash between Alcaraz and Djokovic promises to be a spectacle, as the young contender seeks to etch his name in tennis history by challenging one of the game's greatest champions.
Djokovic said both of them are 'hungry' and are going to have a 'feast', and that is what the audience will also be expecting, to be served a 'feast' by the two great tennis players of their time.
The tournament begins on September 30 and the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will host up to five fixtures - including the tournament opener, a semifinal and potentially the final on November 2. (Photo: Getty Images)
MUMBAI will host next month’s Women's ODI World Cup, instead of Bengaluru, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Friday (22), citing "unforeseen circumstances".
Eleven people died on June 4 at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's victory celebrations in the Indian Premier League.
"While unforeseen circumstances required us to adjust the schedule and replace a venue, we are pleased to now have a line-up of five world-class venues that will showcase the very best of the women's game," ICC chairman Jay Shah said in a statement.
"The stage is set, and I am confident this tournament will capture imaginations and inspire a new generation of fans," he added.
The tournament begins on September 30 and the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will host up to five fixtures - including the tournament opener, a semifinal and potentially the final on November 2.
Though no reason was cited, the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru failed to secure the required administrative and security clearances.
The ICC Women's ODI World Cup returns to India after a 12-year hiatus.
Shah noted Navi Mumbai's reputation as a hub for women's cricket.
"Navi Mumbai has emerged as a genuine home for women's cricket in recent years. The support it has received during international fixtures and the Women's Premier League has been remarkable, creating an atmosphere that elevates the players and inspires fans.
"I am certain that the same energy will define the big matches of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup as it returns to India after 12 years," Shah said.
The other confirmed venues for the eight-team tournament include Guwahati, Indore, Visakhapatnam, and Colombo.
Colombo is a neutral venue to host the India-Pakistan clash.
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Harry Brook leads his team off the field during the 2nd ODI between England and the West Indies at Sophia Gardens on June 01, 2025 in Cardiff. (Photo: Getty Images)
ENGLAND on Wednesday confirmed the dates for their white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in January and February next year, which will form part of their build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Harry Brook’s side will begin the tour with the first of three one-day internationals on January 22, two weeks after the scheduled fifth day of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney. Brook, who is now England’s white-ball captain, is expected to feature in that match.
The ODI series will conclude on January 27, followed by three T20 internationals starting on January 30 and finishing on February 3.
Sri Lanka Cricket is yet to confirm the venues for the fixtures.
The T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February and March.
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Indian cricket captain Suryakumar Yadav (L) and Ajit Agarkar chairman of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee attend a press conference to announce T20 squad for upcoming Men's Asia Cup, in Mumbai on August 19, 2025. (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)
TEST skipper Shubman Gill was on Tuesday (19) named in India's T20 squad for next month's Asia Cup cricket tournament after being left out of three previous series in the shortest format.
Gill, 25, returned to the 15-man squad as deputy to skipper Suryakumar Yadav, thanks to the stellar role he played with the bat in the recent Test series against England.
The top-order batsman scored 754 runs as India's relatively young squad fought from behind to square the five-match series 2-2.
"We obviously see some leadership qualities in him (Gill)," chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar said in Mumbai. "His form in England... exceeded our expectations which is a great sign when there's so much pressure as captain."
Suryakumar said he was happy to have Gill in the squad as he did not get too many opportunities in the past.
The Asia Cup will begin on September 9 with defending champions India set to face hosts United Arab Emirates a day later in Dubai in the eight-nation tournament.
India and Pakistan have been clubbed in Group A and clash on September 14.
Gill, who was named Test skipper after the retirement of veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli earlier this year, last played a T20 international in July 2024.
Shubman Gill of India during day one of the 5th Rothesay Test Match between England and India at The Kia Oval on July 31, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah also made a comeback to the T20 ranks after opting out of two matches in England to manage his workload.
Bumrah's last T20 outing was India's World Cup title win over South Africa at Barbados in June 2024.
Kohli and Rohit quit T20 internationals after the triumph. Bumrah will be part of the pace attack alongside left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana.
Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy and Kuldeep Yadav lead the spin charge.
ASHVIR SINGH JOHAL has been named manager of Morecambe, becoming the first Sikh to take charge of a professional football club in Britain.
At 30, Johal is also now the youngest manager in England’s top five divisions. He takes over following the club’s recent takeover by the Panjab Warriors consortium and the departure of former boss Derek Adams.
Johal experience from roles at Leicester City’s academy, Wigan Athletic, and Italian side Como. He worked under Kolo Touré at Wigan and assisted Cesc Fàbregas with Como’s youth team.
He recently completed his UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching qualification, and has spent over a decade in player development.
In a previous interview with the BBC, Johal said: "I have been fortunate to work with and learn from some incredible people, and I'm especially grateful to Kolo and Cesc. I know what world-class standards look like, how to lead with clarity, and how to develop a team with a real identity.
"We will create an environment that brings the best out of people, that people want to be part of, and that drives people to improve every day."
His appointment follows a difficult period for Morecambe. The National League suspended the club over non-compliance with league rules, leading to postponed fixtures. The team is due to play Altrincham on Saturday (23), but as of Tuesday (19), they had only five contracted players and were not insured to train, making another delay likely.
Johal said his first focus will be to “identify the players as we need to perform well in the National League.”
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Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam of Pakistan during game one of the Men's ODI series between New Zealand and Pakistan at McLean Park. (Photo by Kerry Marshall/Getty Images)
PAKISTAN left out Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20 squad named on Sunday (17) for the Asia Cup and a warm-up tri-series beginning this month against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates.
Azam and Rizwan have been star performers in the shortest format in the past but have not played since December, which head coach Mike Hesson put down to other players performing well.
"We know what a fine player Babar (Azam) is," said Hesson.
"Babar has been asked to improve in certain areas, like taking on spin and in terms of his strike rate and he is working hard on these things.
"The players we have are performing well and having a positive impact," said Hesson.
Since Hesson took over as head coach in May, Pakistan have played three T20 series -- winning 3-0 at home but losing 2-1 away to Bangladesh. They then beat the West Indies 2-1 in the United States.
"Our focus is to win the tri-series and the Asia Cup and the aim is to peak from these pinnacle events," said Hesson.
All-rounder Salman Agha will lead the side which also sees the return of fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim and Salman Mirza.
Mirza took seven wickets in Bangladesh but was left out of the squad against the West Indies.
Opener Fakhar Zaman also returns after being injured for a one-day international series in the West Indies last week, which Pakistan lost 2-1.
The tri-series, which starts on August 29, and the Asia Cup from September 9 will both take place in the UAE.
Pakistan squad: Salman Agha (captain), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Sahibzada Farhan, Hasan Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hussain Talat, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim