Carlos Alcaraz, the 21-year-old who has electrified tennis, sent shock waves through those who hailed him a “champion” after defeating seven-time champion Novak Djokovic for a second year running in the Wimbledon men’s final on Centre Court. Honestly, it is a dream for me winning this trophy. I did an interview when I was 11 and I said my dream is to win Wimbledon. I want it to keep going. It is a great feeling to play on this beautiful court and lift this amazing trophy. It is the most beautiful court and trophy.
Experts confidently commented his 6-2 6-2 7-6(4) triumph in just two-hours and 27-minutes over the Serb, 16 years his senior, symbolised an official changing of the guard, that the future of the sport was safe in his hands, after a “feat of clay to a masterclass on grass”.
But Alcaraz dismissed any notion of now being on the same level of Djokovic, as well as compatriot Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer, Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver, after joining them in completing the Channel Double of the French Open and The Championship in the same year.
He said: “I’m really happy to be at the same table as Novak to do it. Those who did it are the champions. I don’t consider myself a champion yet. Not like them. I try and keep going. Fight on. Believing. Building my path. My journey.”
Alcaraz was speaking after being presented with the coveted golden trophy by All England Club patron Kate, the Princess of Wales, who was making her second public appearance after Trooping the Colour, since her cancer diagnosis, to present the trophy.
He smiled broadly and added:
“Honestly, it is a dream for me winning this trophy. I did an interview when I was 11 and I said my dream is to win Wimbledon. I want it to keep going. It is a great feeling to play on this beautiful court and lift this amazing trophy. It is the most beautiful court and trophy.”
Alcaraz’s only cause for concern was when he was two sets up and serving for the match at 40-0 on his serve. He said: “It was 40-0 but I was seeing so far away. Djokovic is an unbelievable fighter, and I knew he would have his chances again and I tried to win the point with the serve, I couldn’t. It was difficult for me. I tried to stay calm and positive.
In the tie-break, I tried to play my best tennis. I was glad I could find the solutions. I’m really happy to be in this situation and playing a great tie-break.
“I’m so nervous in this speech and I forgot to have some words for Novak and his team. It’s been a difficult few weeks for you.
“You had surgery after the French Open and you didn’t know if you could make the tournament and you made the final.
“It is something difficult to realise that you played points and matches just two weeks after your surgery. Great job and keep going.”
“My team and family, everyone up there supporting. It’s been an amazing four weeks. I’ve practiced hard.
“All the support every day, every week. It’s unbelievable to have you there. Thank you very much and hopefully we’ll have more times like this.”
And when asked what he felt about dancing with women’s champion Barbora Krejcikova at the Champions’ Dinner Alcaraz, who spoke to the Princess of Wales and showed his trophy to fans from the balcony of the club’s South West Hall, said: “Let’s see. [My dancing] could be better, I guess. Let’s see tonight. I try to do my best.”
The victory was the fourth in four Grand Slam appearances on three different surfaces for the phenomenon who became the youngest ever number one aged 19.
Djokovic, the second seed, said: “Everything you’ve done so far 21 years of age is incredible, so keep going.
“We’ll see a lot of you. He was an absolute deserved winner so congratulations for him. His team are doing an amazing job. It’s a one man show on the court but it’s a big team of people.
“It obviously was not the result I wanted but of course in the first couple of sets the level of tennis wasn’t up to par from my side. But credit to Carlos for playing elite tennis, especially from the back of the court, he had it all.”
It was Djokovic’s tenth final appearance and he has appeared in every decider since 2018.
And he competed this year a month after undergoing knee surgery.
Djokovic said: “Of course I have to be very proud. Obviously there’s a little disappointment right now, but when I reflect I’m sure the last four, five weeks and really what I’ve been through along with my team and family, I have to say I’m very satisfied.
“Because Wimbledon was always a childhood dream of mine and to be here on the centre stage – I try to remind myself how serene it is to be here, every single time I step on this court it feels like the first time so I’m a child, living my childhood dream so once again, thank you.”
“To my wife, I love you, thank for supporting me and being here. To my wonderful children, thank you for bringing the smile to my face every single day. I keep on tearing up every single year when I look at them on the closing ceremony.
“I’m so thankful to be a father to these two angels who love tennis and they actually start to love tennis more and more. I don’t know if I have the nerves to keep on going with the coaching career to my son, there are a lot of beautiful things in life son, tennis isn’t the only thing, but if you really wish to pursue it, I’ll be here for you.
“OK enough talking, I just want to say thank you to my team, thank you for sticking with me through good and bad times. You’re probably the only ones who know what we’ve been through the last months. I love you guys, thanks for being in my corner.”
Summer sport would be encapsulated this day in two parts. That was the vibe as we waited for Alcaraz and Djokovic to emerge through the doors shortly before two in the afternoon into the hidden corridor leading onto Centre Court in their all white, racket bags across their shoulders, to take their seats either side of umpire James Keothavong’s chair.
The sun was shining, the rain which had dominated this year’s Championships having time off. A quiet buzz of anticipation among the 15,000 gathered was floating around the most famous lawn in tennis. As our gladiators hove into full view, they were greeted by a full-throated roar and a standing ovation as they grabbed the full attention of the spectators, who had forgotten about scoffing cartoned takeaway food, emptying glasses of champers and their conversations.
Millions around the globe gathered around screens of varying sizes were no doubt doing something similar relaxing on sofas, bar stools, makeshift seating or even floors. After, Wimbledon finals are rated the biggest of them all.
We all appreciated it was the introduction to the first part with the second due in the evening when Alcaraz’s Spain faced the home crowd’s favoured football team England in the 2024 Euro final.
The title-holder was keen to complete a successful defence in time to watch it, so hoping it would not extend for as long as their previous deciding encounter 12 months before (4hr.42min) to enable him to do so.
A more detached Djokovic, a Serb and therefore a neutral, seemed more concerned about creating tennis history and spiking his opponent’s hopes of a Spanish double, having smilingly told an English journalist, ‘You’re hoping he (Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate) brings it home!’
Djokovic was motivated to become his sport’s most successful Grand Slam champion – man or woman – by sealing his 25th major and moving ahead of Margaret Court on the all-time list. To level…
