Carlos Alcaraz has written his name into tennis history with a thrilling 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 win over all-time great Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final on Sunday.
Two decades of dominance by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and defending champion Djokovic were finally brought to an end as the young Spaniard claimed his position as Wimbledon champion.
The five-set show-piece saw the 20-year-old come back from a set down to win one of the greatest games in tennis history, concluding with a championship title lift just a year after becoming the youngest ever top seed.
With this win, Alcaraz becomes the third-youngest player to ever claim tennis’s most coveted title, behind Boris Becker and Bjorn Borg.
For the Serbian great, who made the All England Club his home in recent years, it was so close yet so far to five triumphs in as many years.
Instead he experienced his first defeat on Centre Court in over a decade. And what an occasion it was for the streak to end, as the almost five hours of action provided breathtaking drama and emotion.
From the first serve, both players were at their electrifying best. In the first set, experience appeared to get the better of youth, as Djokovic flawlessly returned Alcaraz’s venomous forehands. He finished off a near-perfect set, making only two unforced errors.
However, Alcaraz weathered the Serbian storm, edging Djokovic in a rip-roaring second set. Initially, the young player fought to hold off his legendary opponent. But as the set went on, it became clear that Djokovic was the one fighting for survival.
By the fifth set, the best tennis player of all time was unnerved. He had gestured to the crowd and argued with the umpire when things didn’t go his way. When Djokovic fell to the ground at break point on his serve, he could only watch as Alcaraz expertly returned with a backhand to seal the game.
“Not so good for me, but good for Carlos. Amazing, what quality in the end of the match when you had to serve it out, you deserve it absolutely. Congratulations,” a teary eyed Djokovic said post-match.
“I thought I would have trouble with you only on clay and maybe hard court, but it’s a different story this year, clearly!”
Pictured above: Carlos Alcaraz
Image source: @FOS
