Carlos Alcaraz has become the first male player in over 30 years to win a second Wimbledon title before their 22nd birthday after brushing aside Novak Djokovic.
The world No.3 produced undoubtedly his best tennis of the entire tournament as he stormed to a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4), victory on Center Court. Making him the fifth player to beat Djokovic in a major final without dropping a set after Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Daniil Medvedev.
Alcaraz’s triumph featured a total of 42 winners against 24 unforced errors as he broke his rival five times. In comparison, seven-time champion Djokovic lacked the usual spark in his game and was particularly vulnerable around his second serve where he only won 40% of points.
“Honestly, it is a dream for me winning this trophy.” Said Alcaraz.
“I did an interview when I was 12 or 11 and I said my dream was to win Wimbledon. I’m living my dream, I want to keep going.
“It’s a great feeling to play in this beautiful court, to lift this amazing trophy.
“I’ve said it before, this is the most beautiful tournament, court and trophy!”
The start of the match featured a marathon 14-minute Djokovic service game that had seven deuces before he hit a forehand unforced error to get broken right away. In contrast, Alcaraz held his opening service game with ease and produced a blistering 136 mph ace en route to a 2-0 lead. The problems continued to mount for the Serbian in the fifth game when he hit a backhand error followed by a double fault to drop serve for a second time. Paving the way for Alcaraz to claim a 6-2 lead.
Heading into the second frame, the Spaniard continued to put intense pressure onto the 24-time major champion who at times didn’t look at be as sharp as he usually is on the court. Alcaraz’s speed, power and agility enabled him to storm to a two-set lead in what was starting to become a Djokovic beatdown. Something that rarely happens to the 37-year-old, who is regarded as one of the best players to ever take part in the sport.
It was never going to be easy to seal victory against Djokovic who is renowned for his fighting spirit. Best illustrated in the third game of the third set when he saved four break points to stay in contention. Alcaraz then worked his way to a 5-4 lead and had three championship points but nerves got the better of him as he failed to convert all of them before getting broken for the first time.
Alcaraz finally closed the match out in a tense tiebreaker. A Djokovic forehand error handed him the mini break for 5-3 before he hit a winning drop shot on the next point to set him up with two more championship points. He then sealed victory with a serve to the Djokovic backhand that triggered an error.
“Djokovic is an unbelievable fighter and I knew he would have his chances,” Alcaraz reflected.
“It was difficult for me. I tried to stay calm, to stay positive in that situation going into the tiebreak. I tried to play my best tennis, that’s all I was thinking about.
“And I’m really glad I could find the solutions and play a great tiebreak.”
It has been a roller-coaster journey for the Spaniard at SW19. Coming into his showdown against Djokovic, he had already dropped five sets in five matches played. Earlier in the tournament, he beat seeded players Frances Tiafoe (29), Ugo Humbert (16), Tommy Paul (12) and Daniil Medvedev (5).
It is the second year in a row that Alcaraz has managed to get the better of his rival in a final at The All England Club. He is the first player outside the Big Three to retain their Wimbledon title since Pete Sampras in 2000 and he is only the second man from his country to win Wimbledon multiple times after Rafael Nadal.
As for runner-up Djokovic, his hunt for a first title of 2024, as well as his first top 10 win, continues. Despite losing, his journey to the final has been a remarkable one considering he underwent right knee surgery only days before the tournament began after tearing his medial meniscus.
“He was definitely very hot today! Obviously not the result I wanted, and in the first couple of sets the level of tennis wasn’t up to par from my side,” said Djokovic.
“But credit to Carlos for really playing amazing tennis, complete tennis from the back of the court.
“I tried to push him, saved three match points, but it wasn’t meant to be, he was an absolutely deserved winner today.
“Wimbledon has always been a childhood dream of mine, and every time I step onto this court I feel like it’s the first time. I’m a child living my childhood dream once again.”
Alcaraz has now won four major trophies at the age of 21 which is a rare achievement in men’s tennis. In the Open Era, the only men to have matched this were Boris Becker, Bjorn Borg and Mats Wilander.
Furthermore, he is only the sixth man in the Open Era to have won the French Open and then Wimbledon immediately after.
“I think just fighting and believing,” he commented on how he did the double.
“It’s huge for me to be part of those players who have achieved it in the same year. Really glad to be in the same table as Novak. Huge champions did it. I don’t consider myself a champion yet like them. I’ll try to keep building my path and journey. It’s a huge moment for me.”
Alcaraz has won 18 out of his first 20 matches played at Wimbledon. In the Open Era the only person to have a better record in Rod Laver (19/20).
