![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2023\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Carlos-Alcaraz-071623-696x392.jpg\" "\\"Carlos")
Spain’s Alcaraz, 20, fought back from a nervy start to win 1-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 3-6 6-4 against the defending champion.<\/p>\n
Djokovic was going for a fifth straight win, an eighth men’s triumph and a 24th major – all record-equalling feats.<\/p>\n
But the 36-year-old Serb was outlasted by top seed Alcaraz, who underlined his class by winning a second major title.<\/p>\n
“It is a dream come true for me,” Alcaraz, who was playing in only his fourth grass-court tournament, said.<\/p>\n
“Even if I lost, I would have been proud of myself. To be able to play in these stages of these occasions – as a boy of 20 years old – is really fast.<\/p>\n
“I’m really proud of myself.”<\/p>\n
Alcaraz, who won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open last year, celebrated by falling flat on his face and kicking a ball into the crowd after taking his first match point.<\/p>\n
The majority of a packed Centre Court, which included the Prince and Princess of Wales, actor Brad Pitt and two-time winner Andy Murray, rose to their feet to acclaim the All England Club’s newest champion.<\/p>\n
As tradition now dictates, Alcaraz ran up the stairs from the court to his box and embraced coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, along with his family and friends.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz is the third youngest man to win the Wimbledon title in the Open era after 17-year-old Boris Becker in 1985 and 20-year-old Bjorn Borg in 1976.<\/p>\n
“You never like to lose matches like this but I guess when all the emotions are settled I have to still be very grateful,” said Djokovic, who broke down in tears during his on-court speech.<\/p>\n
“I won many tough matches here. Maybe I have won a couple of finals I should have lost so maybe this is even-steven.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Fantastic final proves to be a feast<\/p>\n
Before an eagerly anticipated men’s final between the top two seeds, Djokovic further ramped up the excitement by predicting a “feast” between a pair with equally “hungry” appetites for success.<\/p>\n
A compelling contest – full of quality, drama and momentum swings – lived up to the hype.<\/p>\n
The pair have been two of the leading players on the ATP Tour this year and jostled for position as the world number one.<\/p>\n
Djokovic won the Australian Open and French Open this year to move ahead of Rafael Nadal’s tally of 22 major titles, knowing another victory would equal Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 victories.<\/p>\n
At the opposite end of the career scale, Alcaraz was aiming to prove not all of the younger generation can be overawed by Djokovic’s greatness.<\/p>\n
The Spaniard had already been dealt a chastening experience when facing Djokovic, having suffered body cramps during their French Open semi-final last month because he was so overcome by nerves.<\/p>\n
One of the plotlines going into the Wimbledon final centred on Alcaraz’s state of mind.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz was confident that fear was out of his system going into Sunday’s showpiece – but that did not look to be the case in a one-sided first set, which Djokovic won after just 34 minutes.<\/p>\n
Djokovic suffocated his opponent with his deep and consistent returning, forcing Alcaraz into hurrying his shots and making too many mistakes.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz slowly grew into the contest, finding more rhythm with his groundstrokes and introducing an increasing number of the drop shots for which he is becoming known.<\/p>\n
After turning the deficit into a lead, helped by edging a mammoth 27-minute game early in the third set, Alcaraz produced two loose errors at a crucial time in the fourth and Djokovic went on to level.<\/p>\n
However, Alcaraz’s composure returned in the decider.<\/p>\n
He broke for a 2-1 lead which led to Djokovic smashing his racquet on the net post and, continuing to play with power and variety, served out a stunning victory after four hours and 42 minutes.<\/p>\n
Djokovic still well placed to create further history<\/p>\n
The tears from Djokovic after the match were indicative of the physical and mental effort he puts into creating even more history.<\/p>\n
The defeat meant he was unable to equal Roger Federer’s men’s record of eight Wimbledon titles and Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 major wins.<\/p>\n
Djokovic also saw two mind-boggling runs – 34 successive match wins going back to 2017, and 45 straight victories on Centre Court stretching back to 2013 – ended by Alcaraz.<\/p>\n
Despite the disappointing manner of the loss, there was plenty to suggest the veteran is still well placed to at least equal Federer’s and Court’s tallies.<\/p>\n
His game, physicality and elasticity remain as good as ever.<\/p>\n
“I hope this will be the beginning of a rivalry for some time – for my sake,” said Djokovic on the prospect of more duels with Alcaraz.<\/p>\n
“He will be around for a long time, but I’m not sure how long I will be.<\/p>\n
“I hope we can play at the US Open, the top two seeds playing each other is good for the sport.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
Carlos Alcaraz won the Wimbledon men\u2019s singles title for the first time by ending Novak Djokovic\u2019s recent dominance with a stunning victory.<\/p>\n
Spain\u2019s Alcaraz, 20, fought back from a nervy start to win 1-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 3-6 6-4 against the defending champion.<\/p>\n
Djokovic was going for a fifth straight win, an eighth men\u2019s triumph and a 24th major \u2013 all record-equalling feats.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
But the 36-year-old Serb was outlasted by top seed Alcaraz, who underlined his class by winning a second major title.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a dream come true for me,\u201d Alcaraz, who was playing in only his fourth grass-court tournament, said.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if I lost, I would have been proud of myself. To be able to play in these stages of these occasions \u2013 as a boy of 20 years old \u2013 is really fast.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m really proud of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alcaraz, who won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open last year, celebrated by falling flat on his face and kicking a ball into the crowd after taking his first match point.<\/p>\n
The majority of a packed Centre Court, which included the Prince and Princess of Wales, actor Brad Pitt and two-time winner Andy Murray, rose to their feet to acclaim the All England Club\u2019s newest champion.<\/p>\n
As tradition now dictates, Alcaraz ran up the stairs from the court to his box and embraced coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, along with his family and friends.<\/p>\n
Alcaraz is the third youngest man to win the Wimbledon title in the Open era after 17-year-old Boris Becker in 1985 and 20-year-old Bjorn Borg in 1976.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never like to lose matches like this but I guess when all the emotions are settled I have to still be very grateful,\u201d said Djokovic, who broke down in tears during his on-court speech.<\/p>\n
\u201cI won many tough matches here. Maybe I have won a couple of finals I should have lost so maybe this is even-steven.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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 \u2013 stronger hopefully.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fantastic final proves to be a feast<\/strong><\/p>\n Before an eagerly anticipated men\u2019s final between the top two seeds, Djokovic further ramped up the excitement by predicting a \u201cfeast\u201d between a pair with equally \u201chungry\u201d appetites for success.<\/p>\n A compelling contest \u2013 full of quality, drama and momentum swings \u2013 lived up to the hype.<\/p>\n The pair have been two of the leading players on the ATP Tour this year and jostled for position as the world number one.<\/p>\n Djokovic won the Australian Open and French Open this year to move ahead of Rafael Nadal\u2019s tally of 22 major titles, knowing another victory would equal Margaret Court\u2019s all-time record of 24 victories.<\/p>\n At the opposite end of the career scale, Alcaraz was aiming to prove not all of the younger generation can be overawed by Djokovic\u2019s greatness.<\/p>\n The Spaniard had already been dealt a chastening experience when facing Djokovic, having suffered body cramps during their French Open semi-final last month because he was so overcome by nerves.<\/p>\n One of the plotlines going into the Wimbledon final centred on Alcaraz\u2019s state of mind.<\/p>\n Alcaraz was confident that fear was out of his system going into Sunday\u2019s showpiece \u2013 but that did not look to be the case in a one-sided first set, which Djokovic won after just 34 minutes.<\/p>\n Djokovic suffocated his opponent with his deep and consistent returning, forcing Alcaraz into hurrying his shots and making too many mistakes.<\/p>\n Alcaraz slowly grew into the contest, finding more rhythm with his groundstrokes and introducing an increasing number of the drop shots for which he is becoming known.<\/p>\n After turning the deficit into a lead, helped by edging a mammoth 27-minute game early in the third set, Alcaraz produced two loose errors at a crucial time in the fourth and Djokovic went on to level.<\/p>\n However, Alcaraz\u2019s composure returned in the decider.<\/p>\n He broke for a 2-1 lead which led to Djokovic smashing his racquet on the net post and, continuing to play with power and variety, served out a stunning victory after four hours and 42 minutes.<\/p>\n Djokovic still well placed to create further history<\/strong><\/p>\n The tears from Djokovic after the match were indicative of the physical and mental effort he puts into creating even more history.<\/p>\n The defeat meant he was unable to equal Roger Federer\u2019s men\u2019s record of eight Wimbledon titles and Margaret Court\u2019s all-time record of 24 major wins.<\/p>\n Djokovic also saw two mind-boggling runs \u2013 34 successive match wins going back to 2017, and 45 straight victories on Centre Court stretching back to 2013 \u2013 ended by Alcaraz.<\/p>\n Despite the disappointing manner of the loss, there was plenty to suggest the veteran is still well placed to at least equal Federer\u2019s and Court\u2019s tallies.<\/p>\n His game, physicality and elasticity remain as good as ever.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope this will be the beginning of a rivalry for some time \u2013 for my sake,\u201d said Djokovic on the prospect of more duels with Alcaraz.<\/p>\n \u201cHe will be around for a long time, but I\u2019m not sure how long I will be.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope we can play at the US Open, the top two seeds playing each other is good for the sport.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n