"In future, when I retire in 15 years"- Novak Djokovic predicts Carlos Alcaraz to win many more Slams, jokes about Wimbledon 2024 not being among them

Novak Djokovic heaped praises on Carlos Alcaraz and also jokingly hoped the Spaniard would lose in the final. The duo has set up a rematch of last year's summit clash at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. The Serb ousted Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4 in the semifinal to reach his 10th Wimbledon final.

Djokovic was in doubt for Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics after he suffered a tear in his medial meniscus at the French Open and had surgery. However, he's enjoying an impressive run in SW19, having eliminated Vit Kopriva, Jacob Fearnley, Alexei Popyrin, Holger Rune, Alex de Minaur (withdraw), and Musetti.

During his on-court interview, the 37-year-old was asked if a different ending was on the cards for a different year (alluding to the final). The Serb said he hoped so and began praising Carlos Alcaraz, calling him a great example of a young player.

The former World No. 1 joked Alcaraz would win many Grand Slams in the future after he retired in about 15 years, but hoped that the 2024 Wimbledon Championships weren't one of them

"I hope so. I’m sure he doesn’t hope so. He’s a great example of someone as a young player who has a well-balanced life. A good family… a lot of charisma… carries himself well on and off the court. He’s deservedly one of the greatest 21-year-olds we’ve ever seen in this sport," Djokovic said.

"We’re gonna see a lot of him in the future, no doubt. He’s gonna win many more Grand Slams. Hopefully in 2 days, not this one. But in the future.. when I retire in about 15 years," he added.

The Serb continued:

"Jokes aside.. he already beat me in the final here last year in 5 sets. I don’t expect anything less than that. A huge battle on court. He’s complete of a player as they come. It’s gonna take the best of my abilities overall to beat him on Sunday."

A look into Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz's rivalry so far

Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships (image source: GETTY)

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have shared a scintillating rivalry so far. The duo have met five times in their careers so far with the Serb leading their head-to-head 3-2. They have played on all surfaces and have only played in the semifinals or finals.

They met in the semifinals of the 2022 Madrid Masters, where Alcaraz stunned the 24-time Major champion 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5). The Serb got his revenge in the semifinals of the 2023 French Open winning 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1. The 21-year-old then downed the 37-year-old in the Wimbledon final 1-6,7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in a thrilling clash.

Djokovic evened the head-to-head in the final of the Cincinnati Masters coming back from behind 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4). Their most recent meeting came in the semifinals of the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals where the Serb took the lead winning 6-3, 6-2.