LONDON – Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4) in the men’s final Wimbledon final on Sunday to win his fourth Grand Slam title at the age of 21.
It was a repeat of last year’s championship on the All England Club’s pitch, which Alcaraz won in five sets.
This one – played in front of a crowd at Central Court that included Kate, Princess of Wales, in a rare public appearance since announcing she had cancer – was much easier for Alcaraz, at least until he stumbled while holding three match points while serving. for the 5-4 victory in the third set.
Still, Alcaraz regrouped and ended up winning his second major trophy in a row, following last month’s victory on clay at the French Open.
The Spaniard won his first Slam title at the 2022 US Open when he was a teenager, and no man has ever collected more Slam hardware before turning 22 than he has.
He improved to 4-0 in major finals.
Djokovic, 37, wearing a gray sleeve on his surgically repaired right knee, was denied his bid for an eighth Wimbledon title and record 25th overall. He tore his meniscus at Roland Garros on June 3 and underwent surgery in Paris two days later.
Less than six weeks later, Djokovic wasn’t at his best on Sunday – and Alcaraz certainly had something to do with that.
It was when Alcaraz was on the verge of victory that things finally became a little more intriguing, with some spectators shouting Djokovic’s two-syllable nickname – “No-le! No no! — while others responded in choruses of “Come on, Carlos! Let’s go!”
Alcaraz was leading 5-4, 40 loves in the third set when the occasion got the better of him. He wasted his first championship point with a double fault, starting a series of five mistakes by him that gave points – and that game – to Djokovic. There was a backhand that went wrong. A forehand volley. A forehand. Another forehand. It was the only time in the entire game that Djokovic broke Alcaraz.
Suddenly it was 5 for everyone. Suddenly, Alcaraz looked shaken. Suddenly, Djokovic could have hope.
But in the ensuing tiebreaker, Alcaraz won his fourth match point and kept his cool this time. Soon he was climbing into the stands to hug his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, and others.
Just under two-and-a-half hours earlier, the opening game seemed to presage an engaging, back-and-forth contest – and a long one, perhaps worrying some people about getting to a pub or sofa in time to see England take on Spain in the men’s European Football Championship final in Germany on Sunday night. Alcaraz, of course, had a fan interest.
In total, that game consisted of seven deuces and 20 points in just 14 minutes, containing brilliant moments from both men. Run, slide and stretch Djokovic’s defense. Returning winners for Alcaraz. When he responded strongly to a 202km/h serve and got a wide forehand from Djokovic, Alcaraz seized his fifth break chance.
Turns out this was the most competitive part of the process until the third set.
That’s not to say there weren’t hints of brilliance the rest of the way. Only the result never really seemed in dispute.
This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
