On Sunday, Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in a match for the ages, ending his streak of 4 straight Wimbledon victories with an exciting triumph of 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.
AS IT HAPPENED: WIMBLEDON FINAL
The 20-year-old gained his maiden Wimbledon championship and second main championship of his profession after exhausting Djokovic over 4 hours and 42 minutes of nonstop drama on Centre Courtroom.
Alcaraz believes his victory might mark the start of a brand new period in tennis after Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal dominated the game for 20 years.
“It is a dream. I am 20. I did not expertise many moments like this. Making historical past like I did immediately, it is the happiest second of my life,” Alcaraz stated.
“Beating Novak at his finest on this stage, making historical past, being the man to beat him after 10 years unbeaten on this court docket is superb for me.
“It is nice for the brand new era to see me beating him and make them suppose they’re able to doing it as properly. It is nice for me, and the younger gamers as properly.”
When Djokovic gained his first main on the Australian Open in 2008, Alcaraz was nonetheless three months shy of his fifth birthday.
However with Federer retired and Nadal near the top of his glittering profession, Alcaraz has emerged as Djokovic’s greatest challenger.
Alcaraz, who gained his maiden Grand Slam title on the US Open final yr, has changed the Serb on the prime of the world rankings and his Wimbledon victory might hasten the emergence of a brand new era to interchange the “Massive Three”.
“Beating Novak, successful Wimbledon is one thing I dreamed about since I begin taking part in tennis,” Alcaraz stated.
Djokovic was aiming for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title and will even have matched Margaret Courtroom’s all-time mark of 24 Grand Slam singles crowns.
As a substitute, the 36-year-old leaves Wimbledon licking his wounds after beating over-powered by the relentless Alcaraz.
In an ominous warning to Djokovic, Alcaraz stated his All England Membership win can present a basis for extra success once they meet once more.
“In all probability earlier than immediately I did not suppose I used to be able to beat Djokovic in 5 units in an epic match like this, to remain good bodily and mentally towards a legend like Djokovic,” Alcaraz.
“I’ll bear in mind this second in different Grand Slams and suppose I’m able to play 5 units towards him. It most likely modified my thoughts a bit.”
Alcaraz’s earlier conflict with Djokovic had led to defeat within the French Open semi-finals in June, when the Spaniard fell aside after struggling stress-related cramping.
Studying from that painful loss, he held his nerve beautifully this time.
“I’m such a special participant for the reason that French Open. I grew up quite a bit. I took classes from that match. I ready a little bit bit in another way mentally,” he stated.
“I dealt with the nerves higher than I did on the French Open. I fought till the final ball. It was an extended match. The psychological half allowed me to remain there for 5 units.
“If I had misplaced the second set most likely I could not have gotten the trophy, I might most likely have misplaced in straight units. That gave me a whole lot of motivation.”
Djokovic’s frustration at Alcaraz’s cussed resistance boiled over when he smashed his racquet towards the web put up after being damaged within the closing set.
However the Serb had no complaints in regards to the defeat and even labelled Alcaraz a mix of himself, Federer and Nadal.
Requested about that glowing tribute, the ultra-confident Alcaraz stated: “It is loopy that Novak say that. However I take into account myself a extremely full participant.
“I’ve the pictures, the power bodily, the power mentally.
“In all probability he is proper. However I do not need to give it some thought. I am the total Carlos Alcaraz, as an example.”
After the monarch witnessed his native Spain’s compatriot finish Novak Djokovic’s reign as Wimbledon champion in an exciting closing on Sunday, Alcaraz urged King Felipe VI to attend extra of his matches.
“It is particular to play in entrance of royalty. King Felipe, I’m actually proud that you’re right here supporting me,” Alcaraz stated throughout his post-match interview on Centre Courtroom.
“Once I performed in entrance of you twice, twice I gained, I hope you’re coming extra! It’s actually particular and I’ve to thanks for coming and supporting.”
In addition to the King’s help, Alcaraz, who gained the US Open final yr, loved big backing from the vast majority of the Centre Courtroom crowd, who roared him to victory within the closing set.
Now he’s a champion, the world primary will be capable of go to Wimbledon at any time when he needs — so long as he remembers his membership card.
“It is such an iconic membership. I do know Roger Federer had bother getting in with out the cardboard! I’ve to carry the cardboard,” he stated.
“It is actually particular to be a member of this superb membership. I’ll come for certain.”
The earlier Wimbledon males’s singles champion not named Djokovic, Federer or Andy Murray was Alcaraz’s fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal in 2010.
Nadal took to Twitter to salute Alcaraz, praising him for bringing “immense pleasure” to Spanish tennis and telling him to “benefit from the second”.
Alcaraz was raised on clay courts and has performed simply 4 tournaments on grass, however he already has Wimbledon and Queen Membership’s titles to his credit score after a yr to recollect on the lawns of London.
“I fall in love with grass proper now. It is superb,” he stated.
“I did not count on to play on this stage in a extremely brief interval. I’ve performed simply 4 tournaments on grass.
“It is a dream come true. I study actually quick and I’m actually proud.”
(With companies inputs)
