Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz ended Novak Djokovic’s reign at Wimbledon on Sunday, enduring the seven-time champion, 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, in a match that lasted four hours and 42 minutes.
It was the 36-year-old Djokovic’s first loss on Centre Court since 2013 and first at Wimbledon since 2017.
“It’s a dream come true for me,” the 20-year-old Alcaraz said on court after the match. “It’s great to win, but even if I would have lost, I would be really proud of myself, making history in this beautiful tournament, playing a final against a legend of our sport. It’s incredible.”
Djokovic was dominant in the first set before Alcaraz gutted out a second-set tiebreaker that lasted 1 hour and 25 minutes, putting him back in the match at the All-England Club. Alcaraz was playing on a grass surface for only the fourth time in this Grand Slam tournament.
“After the first set, I thought, ‘Carlos, increase the level,'” Alcaraz said on the court, turning to Djokovic and adding, “You inspire me a lot. I started playing tennis watching you. Since I was born, you already [were] winning tournaments. It’s amazing. Probably, you’re in better shape than me.”
Alcaraz lost to Djokovic in the semifinals at the French Open. He attributed the setback to nerves and leg cramps.
At Wimbledon, he said several times in interviews that he thought he could beat Djokovic. “I believe I can beat Djokovic. Everyone knows the legend he is. I will fight. I will believe in myself. There’s no time to be afraid, no time to be tired,” the Express quoted him as saying.
“For someone of his age to handle the nerves, be playing attacking tennis, and to close out the match the way he did, he came up with some amazing shots,” Djokovic said in his post-match press conference. “I must say, the slices, the chipping returns, the net play; it’s very impressive. I didn’t expect him to play so well this year on grass, but he’s proven that he’s the best player in the world, no doubt. He’s playing some fantastic tennis on different surfaces, and he deserves to be where he is.”
The Spaniard is the third-youngest man to win the Wimbledon title. Boris Becker was 17 when he won in 1985, and Bjorn Borg was 20 in 1976.
Djokovic has won 23 Grand Slam tournaments. The Serbian broke down in tears on the court, according to the BBC.
“You never like to lose matches like this, but I guess when all the emotions are settled, I have to still be very grateful,” the 23-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic said. “I won many tough matches here. Maybe I have won a couple of finals I should have lost so maybe this is even-steven.
“It is a tough one to swallow when you are so close. I lost to a better player, I have to congratulate him, and move on — stronger hopefully,” the BBC reported.
In Saturday’s women’s final, Marketa Vondrousova upset Ons Jabeur, 6-4, 6-4, to become the first unseeded woman to win the singles title.