In five sets, Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to win his first Wimbledon championship. Carlos Alcaraz of Spain defeated Novak Djokovi...
In five sets, Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to win his first Wimbledon championship.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain defeated Novak Djokovic in a thrilling match to win the Wimbledon men's singles championship for the first time.
The 20-year-old overcame a shaky beginning to defeat the defending champion by scores of 1-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 3-6 6-4.
Alcaraz won Wimbledon's third-youngest men's title, a second major for him after winning the US Open last year, according to AFP.
The outcome will also lead to hysterical conjecture about the beginning of a generational change, with 36-year-old Djokovic taking up the 'Big Three' mantle now that Roger Federer is retired and Rafael Nadal is possibly out of commission for good.
Djokovic, who won the Australian Open and the French Open, was aiming to surpass Margaret Court's record of 24 Slams, tie Roger Federer's record of eight Wimbledon victories, and become the All England Club's oldest male champion.
Alcaraz was still three months away from becoming five years old when he captured his first major title at the Australian Open in 2008.
Alcaraz said Djokovic, "You inspire me a lot," after becoming the third Spanish champion to win the tournament, following Manuel Santana in 1966 and Rafael Nadal in 2008 and 2010.
"I began playing tennis after seeing you. You've been winning competitions ever since I was born. It is unbelievable," he said, grinning, after dispatching the Serb with 66 victories to cancel off his 45 unforced mistakes.
Djokovic was competing in his ninth Wimbledon final and 35th major final, while Alcaraz was competing in just his second Slam final after winning the US Open.
"What a quality at the end of the match when you had to serve it out," remarked Djokovic, who was vying for his sixth straight Wimbledon victory.
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