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London: Carlos Alcaraz defeated seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets to retain his Wimbledon title on Sunday, cruelly announcing that a new era in men’s tennis had arrived.
The Spanish third seed combined great power with delicate touch to prevail 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4) to claim the fourth Grand Slam of his young career.
Alcaraz tied the record for most Grand Slams won by a player 21 or younger in the Open Era, joining Boris Becker, Bjorn Borg and Mats Wilander.
He is also the sixth male player to win consecutive French Open and Wimbledon titles.
Djokovic, 37, who had knee surgery just weeks ago, is aiming to win a 25th Grand Slam tournament – which would set a record in men’s and women’s tennis.
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates his victory. — Reuters
But he had no response in the sunshine on Centre Court as Alcaraz stormed in from the back of the court and treated the crowd to his trademark series of drop shots.
Alcaraz played well in the first game, which lasted 14 minutes, and seized the initiative by seizing the fifth break point.
The Spaniard quickly got into the serve and achieved a double break in the fifth game when Djokovic double-faulted.
The Serbian, who is in his 10th Wimbledon final, panicked and although he held serve to reduce the deficit to 5-2, he threw the ball into the net, allowing the Spaniard to take the first set.
Alcaraz immediately took the upper hand in the second set, forcing a break in the first game and withstanding the pressure on his own serve to take a 2-0 lead.
In the seventh game, Djokovic’s backhand went into the net and Alcaraz got another break point, but his double fault gave the defending champion a 5-2 lead, about to take a two-set lead.
The audience at Centre Court, including Catherine, Princess of Wales, watched in disbelief as the fierce battle they had been expecting turned out to be a bubble.
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates with the trophy. – Reuters
Djokovic saved several more break points early in the third set, maintaining his advantage and showing that he was finding his rhythm.
But the Spaniard took three break points in the ninth game and used a through ball to break through his struggling opponent to lead 5-4.
Alcaraz served for the title but squandered three match points, missing a simple volley and giving Djokovic his first break of the match.
But as the game entered the seventh game, he quickly regained his composure.
Djokovic’s forehand went out of bounds, leaving Alcaraz 5-3 ahead, and the Spaniard won on his fourth championship point.
The result means Djokovic has yet to beat a top-10 player or win a title this year.
The Serbian will now turn his attention to the Paris Olympics in an attempt to win his first gold medal.
— AFP
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