World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz will do everything in his power to stop Novak Djokovic from matching Roger Federer‘s record eight Wimbledon crowns this afternoon as the two stars battle it out on the sacred Centre Court.
The ultimate men’s final will be watched by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who will all be sat in the royal box as they head to SW19 for the final day of the prestigious tournament.
Djokovic will take home an astonishing £2.35million if he can add one more victory to his 34-match winning streak at Wimbledon by overcoming 20-year-old Spaniard Alcaraz.
At the age of 36, the grass-court king looks determined as ever as he looks to win a fifth consecutive title at Wimbledon – something only done by Federer and Bjorn Borg.
William and Kate – who presented the women’s trophy to Marketa Vondrousova yesterday – will be joined by several other high-profile names as crowds flock to see the two finalists meet again following their Hollywood-worthy battle at the French Open last month.
After five gruelling sets, it was Djokovic who came out on top in Paris – and he would go on to win a record 23rd Grand Slam title, one more than Rafael Nadal.
Crowds are flocking to SW19 for the men’s singles final at Wimbledon this afternoon. Novak Djokovic, 36, is hoping to win a fifth Wimbledon title in a row as he takes on 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz
The Serbian great (pictured during a practice session today) will take home an astonishing £2.35million if he can add one more victory to his 34-match winning streak at SW19
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain practices in front of spectators prior to the men’s Singles Final this afternoon
The Prince and Princess of Wales, with Prince George and Princess Charlotte are accompanied across the players bridge by AELTC Chairman Ian Hewitt
Alcaraz comes into the clash after sealing a stunning 6-3 6-3 6-3 victory in the semi-final against Daniil Medvedev. Meanwhile the ever-present Djokovic finds himself in the final again after defeating Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-4 7-6.
Kate, 41, and William, 41, both waved to crowds and were in good spirits as they walked along the players bridge with Prince George, nine, and Prince Charlotte, eight, and AELTC Chairman Ian Hewitt in the glorious Wimbledon sunshine.
The men’s singles final comes after Czech player Marketa Vondrousova made history after winning the women’s final against Tunisian Ons Jabeur yesterday afternoon.
In a packed out crowd with Princess Kate, Dame Maggie Smith and Jonathan Van Tam, the 24-year-old became the first ever unseeded female player to be crowned Wimbledon champion.
Vondrousova was awarded the iconic Wimbledon plate by Kate – but not before the Princess of Wales comforted Jabeur.
Today, crowds are returning to SW19, not just for the iconic strawberries and cream, but more importantly for the men’s singles final which should bring plenty of fireworks.
Actors including Sir Ian McKellan, Daniel Bruhl and Angelababy have been spotted in SW19, with plenty more expected to be seen throughout the day. At the women’s final, Lewis Capaldi was spotted sat next to unlikely pal Emma Watson.
In true Wimbledon style, tennis fans have been camping for days in a bid to make it into the stadium.
Jeff Hughes, wearing an Andy Murray t-shirt to mark 10 years since he won Wimbledon, has been camping outside the tournament since it began.
The 64-year-old from Chester has been going in to watch the tennis at Wimbledon every day and said the camping ‘catches up with you in the end’.
Kate, fresh from presenting the trophy for the women’s final yeserday, waved as she walked along the bridge with William, George and Charlotte
Princess Kate, 41, looked effortlessly elegant in a green flowing dress as she arrived on the bridge at the All England Lawn, Tennis and Croquet Club
Princess Kate was smiling and waving as she and Prince George (right) were pictured arriving at Wimbledon with William and Kate
Kate and William smile as they are accompanied across the players bridge by AELTC Chairman Ian Hewitt
The Prince of Wales waves as he walks along the players bridge with Kate, Charlotte and George
Speaking from the queue Mr Hughes said: ‘I was in Friday and got soaked in the resale, obviously there was no tennis yesterday so I may just chill out all day today.
‘The first week was wet. We had a particularly bad day on Tuesday but on the whole I’m used to it now.
‘I go in every day. Mainly in the first week (I get) ground passes because there is so much great tennis on the outside courts.
‘I don’t want (Novak Djokovic) to win, put it that way.’
Katherine Livesey, 27, and her mother Sarah Livesey, 57, travelled to London from Scarborough for the weekend.
The pair camped outside the tennis tournament and have been in the Wimbledon queue since 6pm on Saturday.
The daughter, who hoped to get a ground pass for the final day of tennis, said: ‘It’s a great deal. I’d like it to be a really good tight match between the two men. Hopefully it will be a five setter.
Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova celebrates winning the Ladies Final against Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur
Princess Kate looked emotional as she watched unseeded Vondrousova take the Wimbledon crown
The Princess of Wales congratulates Vondrousova yesterday after comforting a devastated Ons Jabeur
‘We have come down for the weekend to have a nice time in London, we went to Frozen and now this. It has been a good weekend. We have had a pizza, we have had a bottle of wine. I would suggest (the queue) to anyone.’
The pair made friends with Jeff Hughes, 64, in the queue. Mr Hughes said: ‘Three couples have actually met in the queue and gone on to get married.’
Meanwhile Nikki Tate, 50, and Tina Cooke, 53, flew over from Northern Ireland to watch the final.
The pair, dressed in tennis ball-themed earrings and hats were sixth and seventh in the queue on the final day of the tournament and were visiting Wimbledon for the first time.
Ms Cooke said: ‘It’s part of Nikki’s 50th birthday celebrations. We have got the earrings to match. I have had a bad hair day because we were camping last night.’
Ms Tate has placed a £2.50 bet on Carlos Alcaraz to beat Novak Djokovic in the men’s singles final.
Celebrities have been spotted at Wimbledon for the men’s final including actors Daniel Bruhl (left) and Angelababy (right)
Sir Ian McKellen has been pictured at Wimbledon ahead of the men’s final this afternoon
Spectators attempt to see Carlos Alcaraz of Spain practising prior to the final on Centre Court
Djokovic and Alcaraz have both been pictured warming up ahead of this afternoon’s final at 2pm.
The Serbian star described the battle as ‘the best final that we could have’ in his pre-match conference.
He added: ‘We are both in good form. We’re both playing well.
‘I want to take this title without a doubt. I look forward to it. It’s going to be a great challenge, the greatest challenge that I could have at the moment from any angle really: physical, mental, emotional.
‘He’s one of the quickest guys on the tour. He can do pretty much anything on the court. I consider myself also a very complete player.
‘Obviously completely different conditions here. I do have more experience playing in many more Grand Slam or Wimbledon finals than him. Still, he’s in great shape. He’s very motivated. He’s young. He’s hungry. I’m hungry, too, so let’s have a feast.’
US Open Champion Alcaraz, who admitted the stress of facing Djokovic brought on cramps that led to his downfall in Paris, is hoping to end Djokovic’s 10-year winning streak on Centre Court.
‘It gives you extra motivation. I think it’s more special to play the final against a legend from our sport,’ the Spaniard said.
‘If I win, it could be amazing for me – not only win a Wimbledon title but to do it against Novak would be super special.
‘But I always say if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. Novak is one of them. It would be great if I can do it.’
