LONDON: World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz won his second Grand Slam title in less than a year on Sunday in the Wimbledon final, defeating seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 and ending the 36-year-old Serbian’s quest for the calendar Grand Slam in 2023.
The four-hour and 42-minute final was the third-longest in Wimbledon history.
“It’s a dream come true for me,” Alcaraz remarked after the match on the court. “It’s great to win, but even if I didn’t, I’d be really proud of myself for making history in this beautiful tournament and facing a legend of our sport in the final.” It’s amazing.”
Alcaraz became the third-youngest men’s Wimbledon winner in the Open era (since 1968) at the age of 20 years, 72 days.
Hundreds of locals congregated in the town square of El Palmar, Spain, where Alcaraz grew up, to see their favourite player make history.
“What Carlos accomplished is a source of pride for all El Palmar residents,” the town’s mayor, Verónica Sánchez, told ESPN. Sánchez organised the watch party following Alcaraz’s semifinal victory. “He’s an example for all young people and represents our town to the rest of the world,” she said.
Alcaraz, who is just in his fourth tournament on grass, has proven to be a quick student on the surface. Alcaraz had finished no further than the fourth round in his previous two visits at the All England Club. Last year, he showed considerable improvement, but nothing about his performance suggested he’d win the Gentlemen’s Singles Trophy a year later or have the game – or the guts – to beat one of the all-time great grass-court players on Centre Court.
Djokovic’s serve had been broken only three times in 103 games this fortnight before the second set on Sunday. Alcaraz came back from a dismal opening hour of tennis to win in three sets. Djokovic dominated the first set. He destroyed Alcaraz’s forehand and rushed him into mistakes. That set, Alcaraz only won his final service game, but he came alive on every point, as if the game was finally coming into focus.
He faced Djokovic in a tiebreak after trading breaks with him in the second set. At Wimbledon, of course. Take a set. In the end. On the main court. And he became the first guy to defeat the 23-time Grand Slam champion in a tiebreak since Rafael Nadal in the French Open quarterfinals last year. He lifted his racket to the skies after winning the second set in 85 minutes, urging the Wimbledon audience to share the experience with him.
In response, they chanted, “Carlos! Carlos! Carlos!” If there is a 12th man in football and a sixth man in basketball, Alcaraz’s momentum was shifted by the second man on Centre Court. He won that set and the following one, but then lost focus and lost the fourth set 3-6, forcing a fifth. Then, in a stunning display of grit, endurance, and newfound steel nerves, he broke Djokovic’s serve in the third set and finally defeated the Wimbledon champion.
At Wimbledon, Carlos Alcaraz and the best of the rest 23mD’Arcy Maine
“After the first set, I thought to myself, ‘Carlos, raise the level.'” Alcaraz explained that he didn’t want to disappoint the audience who had gathered for fireworks. He then turned to look at Djokovic. “You inspire me a lot,” he said. “I started playing tennis after seeing you play.” You’ve been winning competitions since I was born. It’s incredible. You’re probably in better shape than I am.”
This fortnight, Alcaraz has stated numerous occasions that he believes he can defeat Djokovic in the final. However, there is a significant gap between believing and acting. What Alcaraz accomplished Sunday, in a changing-of-the-guard moment reminiscent of Roger Federer’s fourth-round upset of Pete Sampras in 2001, is difficult to emphasise. Djokovic hadn’t lost at this venue since 2017. He is a seven-time Wimbledon winner who has already won this year’s first two majors.
“He came up with some amazing shots for someone his age to handle the nerves, be playing attacking tennis, and close out the match the way he did,” Djokovic remarked in his post-match press conference. “I have to say, the slices, chipping returns, and net play are all very impressive.” I didn’t anticipate him to do so well on grass this year, but he’s demonstrated that he’s the best player in the world without a doubt. He’s playing tremendous tennis on a variety of surfaces, and he deserves to be where he is.”
Djokovic was also on course to complete a calendar Grand Slam, which is a remarkable feat. It is surprising that a player with 17 games of grass-court experience ended his hopes of winning all four major titles in the same calendar year. The fact that Alcaraz simply outplayed Djokovic on the court where he established his dynasty is legendary. Alcaraz’s victory makes him the second-youngest player to defeat Djokovic in a major. In the 2006 French Open quarterfinals, Alcaraz’s compatriot Nadal was the youngest.
After losing to Djokovic in the Roland Garros semifinals last month, Alcaraz chose to play a grass-court warmup tournament at London’s Queen’s Club. He appeared uneasy and confused in the first round as he figured out how to adapt his game to grass. But he improved his footwork and moved more confidently out of corners with each encounter. He claimed he’d been watching videos of Federer, the eight-time Wimbledon champion to whom he’s most likened, and former world No. 1 Andy Murray. He stated that he considered them to be the best grass movers and wished to mimic their method.
He won the Queen’s Club competition, reclaiming the No. 1 ranking he’d given up to Djokovic after the French Open. More important than the rating, though, was the confidence he received as a result of it.
But there was no simple way out for him. To win the title, Alcaraz defeated three top-25 players as well as the world’s No. 2 and 3 players in seven sets. Following his victory over Daniil Medvedev, he stated that he had played one of his finest matches not only on grass, but on any surface, and described his execution as “amazing.” Then he gave himself a “eight out of 10.” On Sunday, he improved his score.
“I didn’t expect to be able to play at this level in such a short period,” Alcaraz remarked. “I learned really quickly, and I’m really proud of that.” Yes, I’m now in love with grass.”
