Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic stats preview: 5 talking points ahead of Wimbledon final
It is the Wimbledon final that many fans were hoping for.
Twelve months on from a truly memorable final, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will do battle once again out on Centre Court.
World No 3 Alcaraz is looking to defend his Wimbledon title and complete the ‘Channel Slam’, while Djokovic is looking for a record-extending 25th major title, and to tie Roger Federer on eight SW19 crowns.
Ahead of a blockbuster encounter, we look at some of the key stats behind the two finalists.
Head-to-Head
This will be the sixth time Alcaraz and Djokovic have met, with the Serbian holding a slender 3-2 lead in their head-to-head.
Alcaraz won their most famous meeting in this match a year ago, edging past the seven-time Wimbledon champion in five sets.
That put him 2-1 up in their head-to-head, having won an epic first meeting in the Madrid semi-finals in 2022 before Djokovic prevailed in four sets in the last four of the 2023 French Open.
However, the world No 2 has triumphed both times the two have met since their epic a year ago.
Djokovic saved a match point to prevail in an enthralling Cincinnati final last August, before producing a dominant performance in the last four of the ATP Finals in November.
Wimbledon record
With the two at different stages of their career, there is no surprise that there is a strong disparity between the number of matches the two have played at the All England Club.
Djokovic has won 97 matches at SW19 heading into this final, the most wins he has at any of the four Grand Slam events.
Incredibly, the Serbian has just 11 losses to his record at Wimbledon, the equivalent of an 89.8% win percentage at the oldest tournament in tennis.
As things stand, Alcaraz is on to hold a similarly impressive record at the tournament.
The Spaniard has lost just twice at the tournament across his career – to Daniil Medvedev in round two in his tournament debut in 2021, and to Jannik Sinner in round four in 2022.
Currently, on a 13-match win streak at SW19, he holds a 17-2 record at the event – a win percentage of 89.4% so far.
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Grand Slam final record
This is Alcaraz’s fourth Grand Slam final, and he has an impeccable record.
Up to this point, he has a record of playing three and winning three – with victories over Casper Ruud at the 2022 US Open, Djokovic at Wimbledon 2023, and Alexander Zverev at the French Open last month.
Only a select few have won their first three Grand Slam finals and Roger Federer, Monica Seles and Iga Swiatek are among the only players to win their first four – meaning he will join impressive company with victory.
Djokovic, meanwhile, is in a record-extending 37th Grand Slam singles final, a total no man or woman in history can match.
The Serbian has a strong 24-12 record in his previous 36 finals and has a 7-2 record in Wimbledon finals, losing only to Alcaraz last season, and Andy Murray in 2013.
Time on court
Should the final go long, physicality can and probably will become a factor.
And Djokovic holds a slight advantage here, in part thanks to a walkover from Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals.
The Serbian has spent just 12 hours and 58 minutes on court so far, with his longest match against Alexei Popyrin in round three lasting three hours and five minutes.
In contrast, Alcaraz has spent 17 hours and 11 minutes in reaching his second final at the All England Club.
The Spaniard has not had a walkover fall in his favour but has generally had longer matches, with three contests lasting three hours or more.
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Serving
Serving is always important on grass courts and will play a huge factor in this encounter.
Heading into this blockbuster, it is Djokovic who holds an edge in this department.
The seven-time winner has a solid first serve percentage of 67%, and has gone on to win 82% of points behind his first serve, and 60% behind his second serve.
Alcaraz has a slightly lower first serve rate of 64% and has won 74% of points behind it, as well as 57% behind his second serve – all slightly down on his upcoming opponent.
