ALCARAZ JOINS THE Greats

A new era dawned as Carlos Alcaraz, still just 20 and contesting only his fourth grass-court tournament, defeated Novak Djokovic in an all-time classic final to become a Wimbledon champion.

By VIVIENNE CHRISTIE

To become a great, you must beat a great. It’s a common mantra as the next generation set their sights on the most elite prizes in professional tennis. And yet, only a select few had shown it was possible in an era where Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray had dominated at Grand Slams across multiple decades.

In the 78 majors contested since Federer claimed the first of a record eight Wimbledon titles in 2003, only nine men outside that elite group had lifted Grand Slam trophies. The dominance was especially pronounced at the All England Club, where it had been more than 20 years since anyone other than a ‘Big Four’ player had celebrated a Wimbledon singles triumph. And one man especially monopolised the 2023 conversation. At age 36, Djokovic launched an 18th main-draw campaign at The Championships not merely as a seven-time champion but as the four-time defending champion. The Serb hadn’t lost a completed match at Wimbledon since 2016, his last loss of any kind at the tournament occurring through an injury retirement in 2017. His Centre Court record was even more astonishing, Djokovic last surrendering a match on that court in 2013.

A NEW ERA: Carlos Alcaraz, now a two-time major champion, halted Novak Djokovic's long-held reign at the All England Club.

As Djokovic extended his win streak at Wimbledon to 34 matches with an uncomplicated march to the 2023 final, there was no disputing the long-held view collective view – it was going to take someone truly extraordinary to beat him.

Enter Carlos Alcaraz.

At age 20, the Spaniard is 16 years junior to his prolific rival and completing only his third season on tour. But within that period, Alcaraz has already amassed some eye-popping accomplishments: a first Grand Slam trophy (at the 2022 US Open), a rise to world No.1 and titles secured on every surface. But after a memorable fortnight at SW19 culminated in a glorious four hours and 42 minutes of simply magical tennis, Alcaraz celebrated his biggest milestone yet. With a 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 6-4 victory over Djokovic in a mesmerising final, he not only claimed a long-coveted Wimbledon trophy but heralded a new era in men’s tennis.

“It's a dream come true for me, being a Wimbledon champion, something that I really wanted. Honestly, I didn't expect to get it really soon,” beamed Alcaraz, who became the youngest Wimbledon champion since Boris Becker in 1986. “Beating Novak at his best, in this stage, making history, being the guy to beat him after 10 years unbeaten on that court, is amazing for me.”

Most amazing, perhaps, was Alcaraz’s ability to convert some hard-gained lessons into rapid progress. Only weeks before, he was so overwhelmed in the Roland Garros semifinal against Djokovic that he was riddled with cramps and barely able to compete beyond the first set.

Their Wimbledon final showed signs of being a similar fizzer as the first set dissolved in a flurry of Alcaraz errors, an authoritative Djokovic taking only 35 minutes to secure a 6-1 lead. But as he absorbed the enormity of the occasion – played before a Centre Court crowd that included the Prince and Princess of Wales, their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, as well as King Felipe V1 of Spain – Alcaraz rapidly reassessed. "After the first set I thought, ‘Carlos, increase the level. Everyone would be disappointed’," he said.

With that, a winning mindset came into focus for the 20-yearold. A first blow for Djokovic was an exchange of service breaks early in the second set, marking only the fourth time the Serb’s serve was broken in 107 games at the tournament. Djokovic had also won his last 15 tiebreaks at Grand Slams, a run that Alcaraz halted as he saved a set point to secure the second set.

Momentum now in hand, the Spaniard gained an early break in the third set and another in a 26-minute fifth game. Featuring 13 deuces, Alcaraz converted on his seventh break point to complete the biggest turning point of the match. While Djokovic claimed the fourth set, his energy seemed depleted as the final set began.

Alcaraz, by contrast, was electrified, with a backhand winner securing another early break of serve. The Spaniard’s spectacular shot-making was complemented by remarkable