Carlos Alcaraz arrives as Novak Djokovic loses control in Wimbledon final eruption
Novak Djokovic erupted at an umpire, destroyed a racket and then broke down in tears as his Wimbledon dreams went up in smoke.
Carlos Alcaraz stamped himself as a generational talent by ending Novak Djokovic’s four-year run as Wimbledon champion in an instant classic.
The Spanish 20-year-old and tennis’ greatest ever player locked horns in one of the most-anticipated showdowns in recent memory - and it surpassed expectation.
World number one Alcaraz recovered from dropping the first set and saving a set point in the second to win 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 after four hours and 42 minutes on Centre Court.
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It was a second major for the 20-year-old Spaniard following his US Open title last year as he became Wimbledon’s third youngest men’s champion.
“Carlos Alcaraz is the special one,” ESPN commentator Chris Fowler said. “Change is inevitable — and today was the day.”
Djokovic looked like doing it easily as he jumped out of the blocks in his quest to match Margaret Court’s record of 24 slams.
But a couple of costly unforced errors cost him late in the tiebreaker - and then the wheels began to wobble.
A marathon 27-minute game in midway through the third set tested both players to the limit, but it was Djokovic who showed a lack of composure as he began arguing with the umpire and reacting to the crowd.
After a long bathroom break at the end of the third set, the Serb rallied back to force a deciding set.
He maintained his level early in the fifth but Alcaraz rose to the occasion to secure an early break and spark a Djokovic explosion.
He smashed his racket on the net post as the realisation hit home - this opponent wasn’t going to blink.
The defeat leaves Djokovic just one grand slam ahead of Rafael Nadal as the previous Spanish king looks to make one last run in 2024.
Djokovic also remained one behind Roger Federer with seven Wimbledon titles, missing an opportunity to join him on eight.
It would be brave to suggest Djokovic’s grand slam tally won’t keep growing, but for the first time there’s a young star who has shown he can match the Serb’s best.
Asked if he was ready to assume the mantle of Djokovic’s biggest rival, Alcaraz told ESPN: “I hope so ... I’m ready to move forward and be the big rival of Novak.”
Djokovic composed himself before his runner-up speech and gave full credit to Alcaraz.
“Good afternoon everyone. Not so good for me, but good for Carlos,” he began.
“I thought I’d only have trouble with you on clay and hard court, not grass. But it’s a different story from this year. Congrats, an amazing way to adapt to the surface.
“You never like to lose matches like this. I guess when all the emotions are settled I have to still be very grateful.”
But he lost control again when addressing his family, who were seated in the grandstand. Djokovic began to cry and had to pause proceedings for several seconds before thanking his loved ones.
“Nice to see my son still up there, smiling,” Djokovic said. “I love you. Thank you for supporting me. I’ll give you a big hug.”
4am - Tension off the charts in fifth set
The score read 1-1 after the opening two games of the fifth set but you could’ve filled a book with the to-and-fro of the action.
Djokovic appeared to be asserting his dominance when he held his opening service game and then created a break point.
But Alcaraz played one of the defensive points of his life to survive the danger and square the set.
It was high-drama as again the Spaniard managed to win a point that seemed lost to secure the first break of the set to go up 2-1.
Djokovic, who had been unlucky to lose his footing mid-point before regaining it, reacted furiously and smashed his racket on the net post.
The theatrics did nothing to distract Alcaraz, who was ultra-impressive as he confidently kept putting away his service games to win the match.
3am - Boos as Djokovic disappears, then fires back
Death, taxes ... and Novak Djokovic taking a long bathroom break after falling behind a set then launching a comeback.
The Serb immediately left centre court after basically throwing away the last two games of the third set.
Carlos Alcaraz took the opportunity to go backstage too, but was back on court and ready to serve for several minutes before his opponent re-emerged.
There was a smattering of boos as Djokovic walked back out after almost 10 minutes - and the crowd stayed on Alcaraz’s side as he began the fourth set on the front foot.
But the inevitable Djokovic rally began in the fifth game as he broke Alcaraz’s serve to take a 3-2 lead.
A still-agitated Djokovic celebrated the breakthrough by turning and aggressively blowing a kiss at someone who was bothering him in the crowd.
The world number two broke again in the ninth game of the set to secure the fourth set 6-3 and square the match.
Djokovic has a 10-1 record in five-setters at Wimbledon. Alcaraz is 8-1 at all tournaments at this early stage of his career. Who blinks?
2am - Momentum with Alcaraz as Djokovic complains
Carlos Alcaraz is one set away from the Wimbledon title after leaving Novak Djokovic shell-shocked and complaining to the chair umpire in a dominant third set.
Alcaraz rode the high of his second set surge by claiming an early break in the third.
Just as important was the Spaniard’s hold from 15-40 in the fourth game of the set, which allowed him to move ahead 3-1.
Djokovic was showing signs of frustration as he was taken to 13 deuces in his next service game.
He had a lengthy conversation with the chair umpire about the service clock starting while he was walking to get a towel - a chore players have been forced to do themselves since ballkids were relieved of the job during Covid.
“I have to go and get the towel, but you start the time!” complained Djokovic, who was called for a time violation in the second set.
The Serb also stared with bemusement at the crowd after a spectator called out during his ball toss.
The game stretched to laughable lengths as both players refused to yield. Djokovic had eight game points but it was Alcaraz who converted his seventh break point of the game to finally end it after 27 minutes and 32 points.
“You could watch the rest of your life and you’ll never see a game like this - two or three life times maybe,” ESPN commentator Chris Fowler said.
A 4-1 lead quickly became 6-1 as Alcaraz held with ease and then broke again.
After only being broken three times in six matches on his way to the final, Djokovic had suddenly been broken four times in this match.
“He looks dejected,” Patrick McEnroe said in commentary for ESPN. “And this guy (Alcaraz) is on fire.”
1am - ‘Very weird’: Alcaraz ends wild Djokovic streak
Novak Djokovic has been breaking all sorts of records lately but one of his wildest stats was a run of 15 consecutive tiebreak wins.
That’s over now after Carlos Alcaraz roared back into the Wimbledon final.
The young Spaniard had wasted his first break of the match when he jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the second set.
But the advantage lasted only a few minutes as Djokovic immediately broke back in a demoralising blow.
Alcaraz played his best tennis of the match to keep the set on serve but wasn’t able to make further in-roads on Djokovic’s serve - despite it continuing to be a problem for the Serb.
Djokovic played great defence and held his nerve to force a tiebreaker.
The World No. 2 looked like running away with it as he jumped to a 3-0 lead, before two big Alcaraz serves and a drop shot error by Djokovic tied it at 3-3.
The tension went through the roof when - after Alcaraz moved ahead 5-4 - Djokovic was called for a time violation for taking too long to serve.
But Alcaraz missed a backhand drop volley to give up the lead and was made to pay a second time for coming to the net a point later.
Out of nowhere Djokovic made a pair of unforced errors to hand Alcaraz his first set point and he hit an ice-cold return winner to take the tiebreaker 8-6 and square the match.
11.30pm - Djokovic rarely loses from here
Carlos Alcaraz appeared to need to win the first set to have any chance in this match - but it was gone before he’d even settled down.
The games were tight early but Novak Djokovic had all the answers to seize it 6-1.
The Serb actually handed Alcaraz a break point opportunity in his first service game before serving his way out of trouble.
He then put the foot down, returning well to break the serve of Alcaraz, who was showing early signs of nerves.
Another hold in a long service game was followed by another break as the seven-time champ jumped out to a 4-0 lead.
The young Spaniard started to play recklessly as Djokovic held again to go ahead 5-0. Alcaraz finally got on the board by holding serve to make it 5-1 before his opponent comfortably served out the set.
Why was winning the first set so important for the world number one? Djokovic has a 79-1 record at Wimbledon when he wins the first set.
His only defeat was in the 2007 semifinals when he was forced to retire against Rafael Nadal midway through the third set.
Overall he’s 303-5 at all grand slams and has won his past 104.
11pm - Players arrive on centre court
10pm – Djoker on brink of equalling absurd feat
Novak Djokovic has moved clear of longtime rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal with his slam tally in recent years, but the Serbian has a chance to deliver some more pain to the Swiss master Federer.
Federer was a dominant force on the grass courts at Wimbledon, claiming eight of his 20 Grand Slam crowns at the All England club.
He was labelled the “King of Grass”, but with a victory Djokovic will equal the mark and remove the last of Federer’s crowns.
“It’s the ultimate showdown,” said Djokovic, who will be playing in a record 35th Grand Slam final.
“Everything comes down to one match. All eyes of the sports world will be directed on this Wimbledon final. It’s probably the most watched tennis match globally.”
At 20, Alcaraz is Djokovic’s junior by 16 years.
When Djokovic captured the first of his 23 majors at the 2008 Australian Open, the Spaniard was still three months shy of his fifth birthday.
“I obviously have more experience. It can help a little bit in some important moments, beginning the match, managing the nerves, managing the occasion, circumstances,” said Djokovic.
“But it’s not going to be the deciding factor really. Whoever, on a given day, is in a better state, mentally and physically, will be the winner.”
It will be Alcaraz’s first Wimbledon final in just his fourth grass-court event.
Djokovic is in his ninth championship match at the All England Club.
The Serb has won 34 successive matches at the tournament and has not been beaten on Centre Court since losing the 2013 final to Andy Murray.
“He’s in great shape,” Djokovic said of Alcaraz. “He’s very motivated. He’s young. He’s hungry. I’m hungry, too, so let’s have a feast.”
– AFP
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