Wimbledon 2023: Spygate provides espionage sub-plot to men's semi-finals

By James Toney at Wimbledon

There have been some Wimbledon scandals over the years. ‘Gorgeous Gussie’ Moran's ruffled lace knickers caused quite the stir in 1949 and then there was Anne White's full-length white lycra body suit 34 years later.

However, the fallout from 'Spygate' continues to overshadow Friday's men's semi-finals, after Carlos Alcaraz's father was captured filming Novak Djokovic's training session this week.

But while his world No.1 son may have a licence to thrill, Alcaraz senior needs some urgent lessons in going undercover.

Q – Ben Whishaw, who plays the character in the recent James Bond movies, was even in attendance in the Royal Box on Thursday – would be horrified with his basic camcorder and a lack of tradecraft and espionage smarts.

The relentless progress of No.1 seed Alcaraz and defending champion Djokovic towards Sunday's final has left this Wimbledon distinctly low on drama and storylines, until, perhaps, its final act.

Quite what advantage Alcaraz would gain from some long-range footage of Djokovic's practice remains to be seen - with over 1200 matches on Tour, there isn't much that isn't known about the Serbian's game.

Besides, before thinking about Djokovic, Alcaraz must take on Daniil Medvedev, while the defending champion – properly tested in his last two matches - faces wiry Italian Jannik Sinner.

Good spies like to think several moves ahead but Alcaraz would do well to focus on his next mission. Medvedev is a former US Open champion enjoying his best ever run at the All England Club, something of a surprise considering it’s a surface he was previously openly dismissive about.

"Daniil is a complete player, he's an octopus, he just seems to find a way to get every ball back," said Alcaraz, who lost to the Russian at Wimbledon two years ago but beat him comprehensively in the Indian Wells final earlier this year.

"I know I lost that first match against him here but I've learned a lot more about playing on grass since. My ambition is to enjoy the moment, I think I'm playing great and I've got lots of confidence.

"I remember the first time that I came here, it was really an unbelievable feeling to be able to play Daniil here. It's totally different for me now, I'm here to win it, not experience it.

"I still can't believe that I'm in this position right now in just a short period, it's something crazy for me."

Alcaraz's progress to the summit of the ATP Tour rankings is dizzying, with Wimbledon only his tenth Grand Slam appearance. In contrast Centre Court is a second home for Djokovic, who made his debut here before toddler Alcaraz was out of nappies.

He's not lost on SW19's most storied show court for ten years, is on a streak of 33 unbeaten Wimbledon matches and closing in fast on a record-equalling eighth title.

He practiced on Thursday in the far corner of the Aorangi practice facility, with no sign of the prying lens of Alcaraz's father either. Grand Slam semi-finals are nothing new for Novak, this is a record-levelling 46th.

However, last year Sinner took two sets off Djokovic when they clashed in the quarter-finals but then let that winning position slip, claiming just seven games in the next three sets.

"I don't want to sound arrogant, but of course I would consider myself favourite," said Djokovic.

"Judging with the results I had in my career here, previous four occasions of Wimbledon that I won, and reaching other semi-final, I know people expect me to win.

"He's playing on a very high level and he likes to play on grass. He tries to dictate points but I feel I know his game really well.

"He's young and he's improving and becoming a very complete player. I know he's going to be very motivated, but I'm just as motivated."