Road to Wimbledon’s Center Court
The moment of truth has arrived for Carlos Alcaraz, who has three matches standing between him and the Wimbledon final he has circled on his calendar since the day after his loss at Roland Garros. Djokovic had just sent a warning from the French Open when he advanced to the semi finals, and now the Spaniard eyes his second Grand Slam title on July 16 at the turf club, a milestone in what could be the 24th major of his career.
The path ahead is steep, with a draw featuring names like Matteo Berrettini, Holger Rune, Daniel Medvedev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas. The 27-year-old Berrettini, who was a finalist here in 2021, looms as a formidable obstacle this coming Monday. Clearing that hurdle won’t be easy, as the center court schedule will cap the day after two women’s singles matches, featuring the defending champion Elena Rybakina versus Beatriz Haddad Maia at 14:30 on Movistar, followed by Ons Jabeur taking on Petra Kvitova.
Berrettini arrives with relentless serve
Berrettini reaches this appointment with a serve that never seems to loosen. He has played ten matches en route to this moment, taking on opponents such as Lorenzo Sonego, Alex de Minaur, and Alexander Zverev. A strong serve paired with aggressive groundstrokes defines his game, and he has accumulated 45 aces and 124 winners at this tournament so far. Those numbers are the kind of markers fans keep in mind when forecasting close encounters on the grass.
After losing to Berrettini earlier this season, Alexander Zverev said that if the Italian continues to play as he does now, Wimbledon could be within reach for him. Berrettini’s game sits perfectly on grass, having claimed titles at Queen’s in 2021 and 2022 as well as Stuttgart in 2019 and 2022. The Wimbledon stage has a way of reviving players, and this is especially true for Berrettini, who climbed to world number six in 2022 before a string of injuries slowed his ascent. He has often said that Wimbledon changed his life and career, and returning to center court is a significant moment that resonates deeply for him after last year’s COVID-19 interruption when he was among the favorites.
A surge of energy and endurance
The Italian has competed in only 14 matches this season before arriving in London, with an abdominal issue forcing him out of Monte Carlo and Stuttgart recently. He admits there were painful days when he cried at night, missing competition, yet now he feels a fresh surge of energy each day and is ready to challenge Alcaraz. He remembers their first meeting, two years ago, when Alcaraz looked like a future star and Berrettini delivered a tight seven setter on a big stage. Since then, Alcaraz has sharpened his tools and captured wins against Berrettini in the subsequent encounters, confirming the evolving dynamic between the two.
Berrettini admits that the match with Alcaraz will be intense. He describes the Spaniard as a player with a volatile but dangerous mix of depth and pace, with a forehand that can punish and a serve that can keep opponents off balance. He knows the fight will require concentration, steady defense, and a willingness to seize opportunities when they arise, all of which are essential to outlasting a rising champion on the grass.
Alcaraz confident of the test on grass
Alcaraz expects a demanding clash when he faces Berrettini. He acknowledges that Berrettini’s power and serve will present a formidable challenge, but the Spaniard is gradually feeling more at home on center court and has a clear sense of what he can do. After a recent win over Jarry, the approach that worked in that match echoed in his evaluation of the Italian opponent, highlighting both respect for the opponent and a firm belief in his own capabilities on the surface.
The plan will hinge on focus, patience, and the right moments to defend the serve while creating pressure. The path to a Wimbledon quarterfinal would mark a significant milestone, especially given Alcaraz’s journey since his Wimbledon debut three years ago, which included memorable battles with Medvedev in 2021 and Sinner in 2022. Analysts and fans alike will be watching closely to see whether his growth translates into a deep run this year as he seeks his next major title.