Carlos Alcaraz Dethrones Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon
Top Seed Outlasts Defending Champ in 5 Sets
It may not be a changing of the guard at Wimbledon. However, Carlos Alcaraz made sure Sunday everyone knows there is a new king of the grass courts in England.
The top seed outlasted second seed and Wimbledon icon Novak Djokovic, 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. Alcaraz, 20, adds Wimbledon to his US Open championship in 2022.
The moment 🌟#Wimbledon | @carlosalcaraz pic.twitter.com/sjjE7FhGn4
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 16, 2023
A new name. A new reign. 🇪🇸@carlosalcaraz, your 2023 Gentlemen’s Singles champion#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/3KNlRTOPhx
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 16, 2023
You did it, @carlosalcaraz. #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/wmcquupnYs
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 16, 2023
Djokovic was the four-time defending champion and was looking for this eighth overall Wimbledon title. It was not to be as Alcaraz broke the Serb in the final set and held his own on the way to victory. In the final set, Alcaraz hit 18 winners to DJokovic’s 3.
This was the third meeting of the tennis stars and Alcaraz now holds the edge, 2-1.
“It’s a dream come true for me,” Alcaraz said. “It’s incredible to be able to play in this stadium. It is amazing.
“I’m really proud of myself and the team that I have.”
Alcaraz said he started playing tennis watching Djokovic winning tournaments.
“It’s special to play in front of royalty,” said Alcaraz, whose victory was watched by King Felipe of Spain. “It’s really, really special.
He said he has “fallen in love with grass right now.” This was his fourth overall tournament on the service.
Goosebumps.#Wimbledon | @carlosalcaraz pic.twitter.com/VrRVtc7och
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 16, 2023
Djokovic had won the Australian Open and French Open earlier in 2023. The last remaining Grand Slam is the US Open, which will take place later in the summer in New York.
To give you an idea of how dominant Djokovic had been at Wimbledon, Alcaraz was 10 years old the last time the Serb lost on Centre Court.
“Good afternoon everyone,” Djokovic said. “Not so good for me but obviously good for Carlos.
“You never liked to lose matches like this. I guess when all the emotions are settled I have to be very grateful because I won many close matches in the past years. Maybe I should have lost a couple of matches I won. This is even Steven.”
Djokovic is 23-12 overall in major finals.
“I lost to a better player,” he said, “and have to move on,” said Djokovic, who broke down in tears after saying he was glad to see his sons still smiling despite the loss.
