Carlos Alcaraz out-duelled 23-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 on Sunday, becoming the third Spaniard to win Wimbledon.
The 20-year-old top seed who will hold onto the No. 1 ranking triumphed in one of the longest men’s finals at Wimbledon – four hours, 42 minutes.
The record of four hours 57 minutes was held by Djokovic and Roger Federer from 2019. Alcaraz follows Spanish champions Manolo Santana and Rafael Nadal
Defeat ended Djokovic’s Wimbledon win streak at 34 matches, the result of him winning the last four editions here; he was bidding to tie Federer on eight Wimbledon trophies.
Alcaraz set up match point with a service winner which was followed by Djokovic delivering the ball into the next to end the marathon.
“This is a dream come true, the winner said. “It’s great to win but even if I had lost I would be proud of myself for making history at this beautiful tournament.
“To be able to play at this. I didn’t expect things to happen so fast.”
Djokovic, winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 16 years older than the 20-year-old winner, was able to swallow his massive disappointment
“It’s not such a good afternoon for me – better one for Carlos.
“It’s amazing the quality at the end of the match. Carlos came up with big serves, big plays. You deserve this win.
“I didn’t think I would have this much trouble with you on the grass – just clay and hardcourt.
“It’s amazing the way you’ve adapted to the surface,” he told the pre-Wimbledon winner at Queen’s last month.
Djokovic added: “I never like to lose matches like this, it’s a tough one to swallow when you are so close. But when the emotions have settled, I have to be grateful.
:”I’ve won a few tight finals here, maybe I should have lost a few of them – so this is even Steven.
“I lost to a better player and can move on and be stronger.”
With Djokovic running out the first five games, it took 32 minutes for Alcaraz to get onto the scoreboard as he finally held for 1-5. But that minor success was followed minutes later by a winning over head smash on set point from the Serb.
Alcaraz got into rhythm in the second set as he broke his opponent for 2-0, with Djokovic immediately breaking back.
But the tight set went to a tiebreaker, with Alcaraz coming from 0-3 down and saving a set point before converting his own on a Djokovic backhand error to level the match after two hours.
Photo Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
The Spaniard began the third with a break and moved into domination mode, with Djokovic arguing along the way with chair umpire Fergus Murphy about a time violation as he went for the backcourt towel.
Alcaraz built up confidence as he broke the second seed for 4-1 in a 26-minute game with 13 deuces; Djokovic saved six break points before netting a forehand on the seventh.
Alcaraz took a two-set-to-one lead with a concluding break, for his own 6-1 scoreline; Djokovic left the court for a lengthy seven-minute toilet break, getting some jeers when he returned.
The veteran fought off two break points in the second game of the fourth to hold for 1-1 as he tried to get back into the final. The tactic worked a treat as Djokovic broke twice to square the match at two sets each.
With tensions running high, Djokovic was first to lose serve, dropping to 1-2; during his losing effort he slipped down, got up in time to return the next ball and was finally passed by the youngster.
A racquet smashed in anger into the net post earned a code violation for the second seed.
Main photo:-Wimbledon 2023 Carlos Alcaraz celebrates as he wins Men’s Singles Final by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
