For 15 years, Djokovic devoted his profession to being higher than them — not only for one match or one event, however eternally.

Now that his rivals are on their method out, Djokovic has gone on the hunt for brand new motivation. He has already largely vanquished one era of future stars — Medvedev, Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Karen Khachanov, who typically crumble towards him within the Grand Slam occasions, half-beaten by his aura and his previous domination of them earlier than his first forehand sharply angles throughout the court docket.

“In the pressure moments, he was playing very good, not missing,” Sinner stated. “That’s him.”

Now he has one other Grand Slam title in his sights, and the 20-something upstarts need to topple him earlier than he ultimately exits the sport. He doesn’t typically converse of taking any particular pleasure from beating gamers whose legs have so many fewer miles than his do, gamers who actually must be sending off an opponent within the second half of his thirties. But he did simply that, briefly, earlier within the week, after beating Rublev, who’s 25 and put up a stable effort within the quarterfinals, dropping in 4 units.

“They want to win, but it ain’t happening still,” Djokovic stated on the court docket when it was over.

Now comes Alcaraz for the second time in 5 weeks. In the French Open semifinal, an overstressed Alcaraz suffered practically paralyzing full-body cramps.

Now, the 20-year-old Spanish star, the one participant youthful than 27 with a Grand Slam title, will get one other likelihood towards an much more relaxed Djokovic, taking part in his ninth Wimbledon remaining. Alcaraz has performed solely 12 matches at Wimbledon in his life.

“He’s young, he’s hungry — I’m hungry too,” Djokovic stated. “Lets have a feast.”