Novak Djokovic has spent the last several years of men’s tennis, as his great adversaries have faded from view, shattering the ambitions and dreams of practically all younger contenders at the major championships. He has not only continued to keep the next generation at bay, but he has enjoyed his dominance over them.
It has been clear for a long time, though, that Carlos Alcaraz is just different. Both in terms of his on-court talents and the supreme mental strength that underpins his success. A month after his body crumbled under the sheer tension of facing Djokovic at a major, Alcaraz recovered from a set deficit to perform at a remarkable level for five sets as he toppled Djokovic 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 to win his first Wimbledon title.
It was a victory that took every ounce of self belief and determination from Alcaraz along with sustained shotmaking of the highest quality while performing at a level of intensity he has never experienced across best of five sets. The two best players in the world imposed relentless pressure on each other until the end, yet Alcaraz had the fortitude to see it out.
Alcaraz’s career was already clearly on a trajectory that few 20 year olds have ever matched, yet the top seed’s performance at Wimbledon has somehow outpaced all of the deafening hype. Having started the grass court season still unsure of his footing and how to produce his best tennis on the surface, he has blitzed the entire field, learning with every match as he has established a 12 match winning streak across Queen’s and Wimbledon. Alcaraz is the first player to beat Djokovic on Centre Court in a full decade, since Andy Murray in the 2013 final.
At 20 years old, Alcaraz is the third youngest player to win the Wimbledon men’s singles title, behind only Boris Becker and Bjorn Borg. His second grand slam title means he is the first new male player to win multiple major titles since Stan Wawrinka in 2015. By halting Djokovic’s four-year dominance at Wimbledon, he has denied the Serb the chance of equalling Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles.
Staring down the best player of all time in a fifth set, Alcaraz refused to cower. After missing a break point in the opening game of the set, he immediately saved one himself with his outrageous, last-ditch defence that ended with Djokovic missing a drive volley. As the intensity rose again, a breathless exchange at break point on Djokovic’s serve ended with Djokovic falling down, rising again and then watching as Alcaraz nailed a backhand down-the-line passing shot winner to break. While Alcaraz celebrated snatching the break for a 2-1 lead, Djokovic cracked his racket on the net post.
Against the best returner of all time, famed for his ability to recover from any deficit, Alcaraz found big serves and enormous forehands whenever he needed them. Then he lined up to the baseline at 5-4 and without any hint of fear or nerves, Alcaraz served out the match of his life.