Alcaraz topples the favorite – A win reminiscent of Nadal’s 2008 coup against Federer – Sport

“I’m very proud that you came here to support me,” said Carlos Alcaraz to King Felipe VI of Spain after winning the Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic. in the spectator stands. And the new champion adds with a grin: «It was only the second time I played in front of you and I won both times. I hope you come more often now.”

It wasn’t the first time that Felipe VI. attended a Wimbledon final with Spanish participation at the stadium. The 55-year-old was also present in 2008 – then as Crown Prince – when Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer in the final. And the similarities between the two finals don’t stop there:

• The protagonists: 15 years ago, the then 26-year-old Federer, who had won all of the last 5 Wimbledon tournaments, faced the 22-year-old Nadal, who had previously not won a Grand Slam tournament except 4 times in Paris. Djokovic (36) was aiming for his 5th Wimbledon triumph de suite in 2023 – against the only 20-year-old Alcaraz, the US Open champion of 2022.
• the initial situation: In 2008 Federer was the big favorite against Nadal, having previously had 40 wins in a row at Wimbledon. 15 years later, Djokovic went into the final with a 34-game winning streak. Both Federer and Djokovic went into the final against the Spanish challenger as the undisputed kings of lawn. Small difference: while Nadal was still world number 2 behind Federer at the time, Alcaraz went into the match as number 1 against Djokovic (ATP 2).

• The gameplay: In both 2008 and 2023, a high-quality final developed, which should go over 5 sets and last well over 4 hours. It wasn’t quite as dark with match ball this year as it was 15 years ago (at that time the game on the still unthought-of Center Court started late due to rain and then had to be interrupted). But the shadows in London were also long at 6:52 p.m. local time. When Alcaraz sank to the ground relieved, the match clock showed 4:42 hours. Federer and Nadal were on the court 6 minutes longer. Both times the fallen favorite commits a forehand error at match point.

The question remains whether Alcaraz will continue with the parallels to Nadal in Wimbledon. The now 37-year-old Spaniard won the tournament on Church Road a second time in 2010 and reached the final again in 2011 (after having already lost the final in 2006 and 2007). After Alcaraz’ performance on Sunday evening, it is easy to imagine that the high-flyer will one day surpass his compatriot’s record of a total of 2 triumphs in south-west London.