Carlos Alcaraz voiced his desire for another opportunity to face Novak Djokovic, believing it would make winning a Wimbledon championship even more significant. Alcaraz’s wish came true as he faced Djokovic and emerged victorious.
Despite a shaky start, Alcaraz rallied in the match’s latter stages, ending Djokovic’s impressive 34-match winning streak at the All England Club. In a captivating and closely contested final, Alcaraz triumphed over Djokovic with a scoreline of 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. This victory marked Alcaraz’s first Wimbledon title and his second Grand Slam trophy overall.
By defeating Djokovic, the top-ranked player, Alcaraz prevented him from equaling the record for an eighth Wimbledon title and securing his 24th career major. Additionally, Alcaraz’s win at age 20 made him the third-youngest male champion at Wimbledon in the Open era. Notably, the age gap between Alcaraz and Djokovic was the widest in any men’s Slam final since 1974.
Alcaraz possessed the advantage of youth, which was also evident during their previous encounter at the French Open last month. That particular match was remarkable for the first two sets before Alcaraz experienced cramps and faded away. However, in their recent meeting, Alcaraz demonstrated both endurance and strong shots, enabling him to overcome Djokovic.
Alcaraz had the advantage of youth on his side against Djokovic
Alcaraz’s swiftness and impressive power set him apart, with serves reaching speeds of over 130 mph and forehands surpassing 100 mph. On the other hand, Djokovic possesses many skills and extensive muscle memory. He has the experience and accomplishments that Alcaraz can currently only envision.
Nevertheless, if this victory at a windy and overcast Centre Court, where Djokovic previously suffered his last defeat in the 2013 final, serves as any indication, Alcaraz is well on his way to achieving great success in his own right.
However, these circumstances are still relatively unfamiliar to Alcaraz, as it was only his second Grand Slam final compared to Djokovic’s record-breaking 35th.
Nonetheless, Alcaraz emerged victorious in a remarkable game that lasted 32 points and 25 minutes, showcasing his skill and determination as he secured the third set. Alcaraz also gained a decisive advantage by breaking Djokovic’s serve and taking a 2-1 lead in the fifth set with a remarkable backhand passing winner. Djokovic, who stumbled but quickly recovered during the point, responded by forcefully smashing his racket into the net post, causing it to break and resulting in a code violation issued by chair umpire Fergus Murphy.
The match continued for another 24 minutes, extending the total duration to over four and a half hours, but Alcaraz remained resilient and steadfast. In the end, Alcaraz stood tall, receiving the trophy in the evening, while Djokovic fell short.
Also Read: Djokovic vs Sinner: The Brilliant Djokovic Books a Place in The Wimbledon Final