Carlos Alcaraz became Wimbledon champion for the first time on Sunday. The world number one from Spain prevailed in a high-class final against the defending champion Novak Djokovic with 1: 6.7: 6(6), 6: 1.3: 6.6: 4 and triumphed after the US Open in the previous year second time at a major tournament. Djokovic missed his eighth Wimbledon and 24th Grand Slam title.
After Boris Becker and Björn Borg, Alcaraz is now the third youngest Wimbledon winner in men’s singles. Thanks to the success, the Spaniard remains at the top of the world rankings.
After four titles and 34 unbeaten matches in a row, Djokovic’s dominance on the “sacred lawn” ended. Roger Federer remains the tournament’s record winner with eight triumphs.
Irresistible start from Djokovic
Djokovic started in his 35th Grand Slam final as if from a single source and gave his initially overwhelmed opponent no chance in the first set. With breaks to 2:0 and 4:0, the first course was quickly set, at 0:5 Alcaraz made the game of honor on his own serve, but after 34 minutes the “Djoker” had the first set in his pocket.
Video: The moment of decision
Round two looked very different. Alcaraz got over his initial nervousness and the expected match developed on Center Court in front of many celebrities. Alcaraz used his second breakball to take a 2-0 lead. The 20-year-old Spaniard then missed the chance to make it 3-0 in front of the Spanish King Felipe and Hollywood greats like Brad Pitt and Daniel Craig and Djokovic immediately took the break back.
In the fourth game, Djokovic fended off a breakball and didn’t let the serve take away at 2: 3 and 0:30. It stayed that way, even when Alcaraz was 5: 4, Djokovic’s serve was only two points away from the break and set equalization. Finally, the set went into a tie-break, in which Djokovic was 3-0 ahead, but made three avoidable mistakes later on. Alcaraz fought back and completed a backhand return to equalize the set.
Alcaraz turned the game around
The Spaniard used the momentum and took Djokovic’s serve right at the beginning of the third set. Djokovic now seemed vulnerable, struggled with his game and discussed the shot clock with the referee. Alcaraz then managed the double break to make it 4-1 in a game that lasted more than 25 minutes and included 32 rallies. This broke the “Djoker’s” resistance, Alcaraz clearly won 6-1.
During the fourth round, Djokovic improved significantly again, resulting in a hard-fought break to make it 3-2. The Serb moved better, seemed more focused and got the previously stumbling backhand under control. With another break, Djokovic finally forced the decisive fifth set.
In this Alcaraz put the first, and in the end also decisive pinprick. The Spaniard took Djokovic’s serve to make it 2-1, after which the Serb smashed his racket on the net post. After that, Alcaraz acted confidently, showed no nerves even when served and converted his first match point after 4:42 hours.
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