INCREDIBLE HISTORY

Fans witnessed the dawn of an exciting new era at Wimbledon.

For the first time in 20 years, a player outside the sport’s revered ‘Big Four’ claimed the men’s singles title at the All England Club. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have dominated at the tournament for the past two decades – but that stranglehold was sensationally snapped by Carlos Alcaraz.

The all-conquering 20-year-old Spaniard was, mind-blowingly, only eight years old when Djokovic won his maiden Wimbledon crown.

Despite their 16-year age gap, the third largest recorded in a Grand Slam men’s singles final in the Open era, they delivered a memorable finale.

Alcaraz triumphed in a five-set battle that lasted almost five hours, to deny Djokovic an Open era-record 24th major singles title.

It was only the second five-set Grand Slam final loss – and first in almost 11 years – of the Serbian’s storied career.

With his Wimbledon breakthrough, Alcaraz also ended the longest winning streak ever recorded at the All England Club’s Centre Court. Djokovic, incredibly, had not lost on the world’s most famous court since 2013.

“It’s something that I will never forget, that’s for sure,” Alcaraz beamed after scoring his first Grand Slam match win against Djokovic.

“It’s great for the new generation as well, I think, to see me beating him and making them think that they are capable to do it as well.”

Marketa Vondrousova also proved no challenge is impossible, becoming the first unseeded player to win a Wimbledon women’s singles title.

The 24-year-old Czech eliminated five seeded players, as well as the resurgent Elina Svitolina in the semifinals, during her surprise titlewinning run.

Vondrousova, who entered the tournament ranked No.42 and with only four career tourlevel grass-court match wins, described her own against-theodds triumph as “unbelievable”. History was rewritten in more unimaginable ways too during a magical fortnight at the All England Club.

Brit Neal Skupski returned to world No.1 in doubles after achieving a 97-year first at the tournament (see page 27 for more), while Dutchwoman Diede de Groot secured a remarkable 12th consecutive Grand Slam women’s wheelchair singles title.

Australian players produced outstanding results as well.

Storm Hunter became the first Australian in 10 years to advance to a Wimbledon women’s doubles final, while Matt Ebden achieved a 19-year first by reaching back-to-back men’s doubles semifinals.

Such results serve as a reminder that a place in history is only ever temporary and even the seemingly most untouchable records are, in fact, attainable.

In the aftermath of his Wimbledon loss, a resolute Djokovic vowed his motivation to continue chasing records was stronger than ever.

The 36-year-old is even readily anticipating another Grand Slam showdown with world No.1 Alcaraz in coming months.

“I hope we get to play (at the) US Open,” Djokovic declared. “I think it’s good for the sport, No.1 and No.2 in the world facing each other in almost a five-hours, fiveset thriller. Couldn’t be better for our sport in general, so why not?”

That is why it’s important to celebrate history, as we do in this edition of Australian Tennis Magazine. You never know exactly when – or how – the course of history can change. And aren’t we lucky to watch as record-breaking superstars continually elevate the stakes, and the standard, of the professional game.

Leigh Rogers Associate Editor