Wimbledon 2023: Carlos Alcaraz gives himself 8 out of 10 after defeating Daniil Medvedev in semi-finals

By India Today Sports Desk: World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz delivered a stunning performance in the 2023 Wimbledon semi-final, defeating Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. The 20-year-old Spanish tennis prodigy described the match as one of the best of his career, showcasing an exceptional level of play that left the Centre Court crowd in awe. Alcaraz outclassed the Russian third seed with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

Buoyed by his victory, Alcaraz now sets his sights on facing the seven-time Wimbledon champion, Novak Djokovic, in the final. Alcaraz aims to become the first player in a decade to defeat Djokovic on Centre Court. Acknowledging the challenge ahead, he recognises that he will need a perfect performance to dethrone the Serbian veteran and prevent him from equaling Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles.

Reflecting on his triumph over Medvedev, Alcaraz expressed his satisfaction, rating the match an impressive eight out of 10. He considers it one of his best performances not only on grass but also on the entire tour. However, Alcaraz is aware of the importance of maintaining composure and avoiding nerves, drawing from his previous French Open semi-final experience against Djokovic where he suffered cramps and lost the match.

“I mean, this one probably was one of my best matches, not only on grass but on the Tour. I rate like 8 out of 10, something like that. It was amazing for me. I showed a great level,” Alcaraz said. “Probably one of my best matches.”

The Spanish rising star views the opportunity to face Djokovic in the Wimbledon final as a remarkable chance to achieve something extraordinary. Alcaraz believes that to be the best, he must defeat the best, and Djokovic unquestionably falls into that category. The 36-year-old Serbian has displayed exceptional dominance at Wimbledon, winning 34 consecutive matches. Having already claimed the first two Grand Slams of the year, Djokovic continues to prove his prowess on the court.

Alcaraz acknowledges Djokovic’s extraordinary skills and describes him as a complete player in all aspects of the game. He recognised Djokovic’s physical and mental strength, highlighting his impeccable court presence and relentless competitive spirit.

“I’ll try to get into the court with not as much nerves as I probably had in the French Open semi-final,” Alcaraz said. “If I win, it could be amazing for me — not only win a Wimbledon title but do it against Novak would be super special. I always say if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Novak is one of them.”

“He’s a really complete guy, really complete player. He’s amazing. He does nothing wrong on the court,” he said. “Physically he’s a beast. Mentally he’s a beast. Everything is unbelievable for him.”