Tennis fans are flocking to Henman Hill ahead of the Wimbledon 2023 grand final, where there will be a dramatic showdown between world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and reigning champion Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz will do everything in his power to prevent Djokovic from equaling Roger Federer’s record eight Wimbledon crowns this afternoon as the two stars square off on the hallowed Center 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 seated in the royal box as they make their way to SW19 for the final day of the prestigious tournament.
Djokovic, 36, will take home a staggering £2.35million if he can add another win to his 34-game winning streak at Wimbledon by beating 20-year-old Spaniard Alcaraz.
Despite being 16 years older than his opponent, the turf king still appears determined to win a fifth consecutive title at Wimbledon – something only Federer and Bjorn Borg have managed.
William and Kate, who presented Marketa Vondrousova with the women’s trophy yesterday, are joined by several other high-profile names as crowds flock to watch the two finalists meet again after their Hollywood-worthy bout at the French Open last month.
After five grueling sets, it was Djokovic who emerged victorious in Paris – and he would go on to win his record 23rd Grand Slam title, one more than Rafael Nadal.
Tennis fans flock to Henman Hill ahead of the showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic in the grand final of Wimbledon 2023
Crowds flock to SW19 for the men’s singles final at Wimbledon this afternoon. Novak Djokovic, 36, is hoping for a fifth straight Wimbledon title when he takes on 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz
The Serbian star (pictured during a training session today) will take home a staggering £2.35million if he can add another win to his 34-game winning streak at SW19
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain trains in front of a crowd this afternoon ahead of the men’s singles final
The Prince and Princess of Wales, as well as Prince George and Princess Charlotte, are escorted across the Players’ Bridge by AELTC Chairman Ian Hewitt
Alcaraz go into the clash after clinching an impressive 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 win over Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals. Meanwhile, the ubiquitous Djokovic is in the final again after beating Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-4 7-6.
Kate, 41, and William, 41, both waved to the crowd and were in good spirits as they walked down the players’ bridge with Prince George, nine, and Prince Charlotte, eight, and AELTC Chairman Ian Hewitt in glorious Wimbledon sunshine.
One person we know will be in the royal box is Wimbledon champion and now global fashion icon Stan Smith, who has revealed to Web that he has given Kate, George and Charlotte shoes as gifts in the past has.
The men’s singles final comes after Czech player Marketa Vondrousova made history by beating Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur in the women’s final yesterday afternoon.
In a sell-out crowd with Princess Kate, Dame Maggie Smith and Jonathan Van Tam, the 24-year-old became the first unseeded player to be crowned Wimbledon champion.
Vondrousova was awarded the iconic Wimbledon record by Kate – though not before the Princess of Wales comforted Jabeur.
Today the crowds are returning to SW19, not only for the iconic strawberries and cream, but more importantly for the men’s singles final which should promise plenty of fireworks.
On the packed 14th day of Wimbledon, crowds will also be entertained with the women’s doubles final, the men’s and four-person wheelchair singles final, the women’s wheelchair doubles final, the boys’ singles final, the Juniors and the Invitational Doubles entertained.
Actors such as Sir Ian McKellan, Daniel Bruhl and Angelababy have been spotted in SW19 and many more are expected to be seen throughout the day. In the women’s final, Lewis Capaldi was spotted alongside his unlikely girlfriend, Emma Watson.
In Wimbledon style, tennis fans camp for days to get to the stadium.
Kate, who had just presented the women’s final trophy yesterday, waved as she walked down the bridge with William, George and Charlotte
Princess Kate, 41, looked effortlessly elegant in a green flowy dress as she arrived on the bridge at the All England Lawn, Tennis and Croquet Club
Princess Kate smiled and waved as she and Prince George (right) pictured with William and Kate on their arrival at Wimbledon
Kate and William smile as they are escorted across the players’ bridge by AELTC Chairman Ian Hewitt
The Prince of Wales waves as he walks down the Players’ Bridge with Kate, Charlotte and George
Graeme Durno, 61, was the first person to queue on the final day of Wimbledon.
The Aberdeen tennis fan has been coming to Wimbledon for 12 consecutive years and wants to see what’s happening on Center Court.
He said, “I want to see a game.” I love atmosphere. For me it’s not about who’s playing, but I obviously loved it when Murray won. I absolutely loved it.
“I’ve waited years for someone from Britain to win men’s singles, so it would be nice to see some of the wheelchair Brits do the same.”
“We saw Andy Murray years ago. “You wouldn’t have thought for a second that he would make it at Wimbledon, let alone win that thing twice.”
Jeff Hughes, wearing an Andy Murray T-shirt to mark his 10-year Wimbledon victory, has been camping outside of the tournament since the start of the tournament.
The 64-year-old from Chester watched tennis at Wimbledon every day and said the campsite “eventually catches up to you”.
Mr Hughes said from the queue: “I was there on Friday and got completely soaked from reselling. Obviously there was no tennis yesterday, so today I can just chill all day.”
“The first week was wet. We had a particularly bad day on Tuesday, but by and large I’m used to it now.
“I go in every day. Mainly the first week (I get) ground passes because there is so much great tennis on the outdoor courts.
“I don’t want (Novak Djokovic) to win, to put it that way.”
Katherine Livesey, 27, and her mother Sarah Livesey, 57, traveled from Scarborough to London for the weekend.
The pair were camping outside of the tennis tournament and had been in the Wimbledon queue since 6pm on Saturday.
The daughter, who was hoping to get court access for the last day of tennis, said: “That’s a great offer.” I would like it to be a really good, close match between the two men. Hopefully it will be a five setter.
Czech Republic’s Marketa Vondrousova celebrates winning the women’s final against Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur
Princess Kate looked emotional as she watched unseeded Vondrousova win the Wimbledon crown
The Princess of Wales yesterday congratulated Vondrousova after comforting the devastated Ons Jabeur
“We came here over the weekend to have a good time in London, we went to Frozen and now this.” It was a good weekend. We ate a pizza, we drank a bottle of wine. I would recommend (the queue) to anyone.’
The pair became friends with Jeff Hughes, 64, while in line. Mr Hughes said: “In fact, three couples in the queue met and got married.”
Meanwhile, Nikki Tate, 50, and Tina Cooke, 53, have flown in from Northern Ireland to watch the final.
The pair, dressed in tennis ball-style earrings and hats, finished sixth and seventh in the queue on the final day of the tournament, visiting Wimbledon for the first time.
Ms Cooke said: “It’s part of the celebrations for Nikki’s 50th birthday.” We have the matching earrings. “I had a bad hair day because we went camping last night.”
Ms Tate has placed a £2.50 bet that Carlos Alcaraz will beat Novak Djokovic in the men’s singles final.
Celebrities have been spotted at Wimbledon for the men’s final, including actors Daniel Brühl (left) and Angelababy (right).
Sir Ian McKellen was photographed ahead of the men’s final at Wimbledon this afternoon
Actor Andrew Garfield and singer Nick Jonas were among the celebrities who appeared at SW19
Spectators try to watch Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during training ahead of the final on Center Court
Novak Djokovic during a training session on Day 14 of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships
All eyes will be on whether the Serbian star can win his fifth consecutive Wimbledon title
Djokovic and Alcaraz were both photographed warming up ahead of the final at 2pm this afternoon.
The Serbian star described the clash as “the best final we could have” in his pre-game conference.
He added: “We’re both in good form.” We’re both playing well.
“I want to take this title without a doubt.” I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a big challenge, the biggest challenge I could have right now, in every way: physically, mentally, emotionally.
“He’s one of the fastest guys on the tour.” He can do pretty much anything on the pitch. I also consider myself a very complete player.
“Apparently the conditions here are completely different.” I have more experience of participating in many more Grand Slam or Wimbledon finals than he does. Nevertheless, he is in top form. He’s very motivated. he is young He is hungry. I’m hungry too, so let’s have a feast.’
US Open champion Alcaraz, who admitted the stress of playing Djokovic led to cramps that led to his fall in Paris, is hoping to end Djokovic’s 10-year winning streak on Center Court.
“It gives you extra motivation.” “I think it’s something special to play the final against a legend of our sport,” said the Spaniard.
“If I win it could be great for me – not only to win a Wimbledon title, but to do it against Novak would be very 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 could make it.”