Epic Wimbledon final
Outstanding Alcaraz ends Djokovic’s super series
7/16/2023, 7:53 p.m
Carlos Alcaraz is the name of the new Wimbledon king. In five sets, the world number one defeated the long-term winner Novak Djokovic in a match lasting more than four and a half hours. For the 36-year-old, it is the first defeat in the English classic since 2017 in the generational duel against the 16-year-old Spaniard.
The king is dead, long live the king: Carlos Alcaraz has ended Novak Djokovic’s long reign on the sacred lawn of Wimbledon. The Spanish monarch Felipe VI. as well as Princess Kate and Prince William with their children George and Charlotte were eyewitnesses when the 20-year-old challenger fell 1: 6, 7: 6 (8: 6), 6: 1, 3: 6, 6: 4 prevailed against the 16-year-old Serb.
“It’s a dream that’s coming true for me,” said the visibly moved Alcaraz: “Even if I had lost, I could have been proud of myself. For me, it’s incredible for a 20-year-old boy to win against this legend . I’m really very proud.” Djokovic inspired him a lot: “I was a little boy and I watched you.”
Djokovic took the defeat calmly and even with a bit of humor. “I thought I would have problems with you on sand or hard court, but not on grass,” he said at the award ceremony to his 16-year-old conqueror, whom he certified as an “extraordinary, very, very strong performance”. He “didn’t win today, but lost to a better player”.
Djokovic defeated for the first time after 34 Wimbledon matches
Alcaraz had to fight his way back into the match after a miserable first set. But then he slowly played Djokovic weak. After 4:42 hours, of which the fifth game of the third set alone lasted 26 minutes – a record at Wimbledon – he converted the first match point to thunderous cheers. His king also jumped up enthusiastically.
The thug has to believe it.
(Photo: IMAGO/Shutterstock)
Djokovic, who had not lost in Wimbledon for 34 matches and on Center Court since 2013, would have been the oldest Wimbledon winner of the Open era (since 1968). Alcaraz is now the youngest champion in the lawn Mecca since Boris Becker and the first since 2003 who is not named Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray or Djokovic. Apart from that, he remains number one in the world rankings.
Alcaraz nervous at first
This was initially not foreseeable. Djokovic stormed through the first set in 34 minutes against the nervous and impatient Alcaraz. He seemed to have everything under control, answered a break with a rebreak in the second set and had the chance to win the second round in the tie-break. Two slight mistakes and a forehand from Alcaraz later, it was suddenly 1-1 after sets.
Remarkable: Djokovic had won all of his previous 15 tie-breaks at Grand Slams. No less striking: the audience no longer made any secret of their sympathy for Alcaraz. And he smelled a fuse, immediately got a break and another in the fascinating fifth game of the third set – with the 32nd point.
Djokovic wouldn’t be Djokovic if he hadn’t disappeared to the toilet for a few minutes and then fought back. But Alcaraz remained admirably cool, even after losing the hard-fought fourth set. In the fifth he managed a break to make it 2-1, Djokovic smashed his racket in anger.
Two Grand Slam wins before the 21st birthday
Since Boris Becker, who was not yet 19 when he triumphed in 1985 and 1986, no Wimbledon winner has been younger than Alcaraz. He is only the fifth player alongside Becker, Mats Wilander, Bjorn Borg and Rafael Nadal to win at least two Grand Slams before his 21st birthday.
Alcaraz had been keenly aware of the importance of his win ahead of the final, his second in the four majors after winning the US Open last year. “If I win that would be wonderful. Not only would I win the title, doing it against Novak would make it super special. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.” And not least at Wimbledon, Djokovic had clearly been the best for years.