Wimbledon 2023: Changing of the guard: Carlos Alcaraz dethrones Novak Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz defeated seven-time champion Novak Djokovic to claim his first Wimbledon title, shattering the Serb’s dream of a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain (L) holds the Men's Singles Trophy alongside Novak Djokovic with the Men's Singles Runner's Up Plate. Picture: Getty Images.

The tennis world has just witnessed the changing of the guard with a superlative, history-defining match on centre court after Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish 20-year-old, was crowned the Wimbledon champion.

As the sport prepares itself for the eventual departure of Raf Nadal, who is injured, and even fondly farewelled a suited Roger Federer in centre court on day two of these championships, Alcaraz, who is 16 years Novak Djokovic’s junior, blasted his way to the top of men’s game.

This was one of the classics which will be referred to in decades to come: a moment when a fresh, extraordinarily gifted player has taken the game by storm.

Djokovic later described Alcaraz as a composite of the best of Federer, Nadal and himself, praising his “Spanish bull” mental resilience and maturity and described him as “a very complete player with amazing adapting capabilities which is the key for longevity and a successful career on all surfaces’’.

Alcaraz played the edges of the court not unlike Djokovic, and with powerful baseline play, interspersed with top spin and backhand slice, and his favourite shot, the crosscourt forehand, pressured the Serbian star throughout the rollercoaster near-five hour epic.

The scoreline read 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.

Incredibly Alcaraz has only played four tournaments on grass, including a recent win at the Queen’s club, beating Australian Alex de Minaur in the final.

Alcaraz said after his astonishing win, charming the Wimbledon centre court crowd who had roared and hollered throughout: “I fall in love with grass right now”.

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain shows the Men's Singles Trophy to the crowd. Picture: Getty Images.

Catherine, Princess of Wales (R), presents the winner's trophy to Spain's Carlos Alcaraz. Picture: AFP.

After serving out the five setter, Alcaraz rolled on the grass, and then kicked a tennis ball into the crowd. He climbed into the players box to celebrate with his brothers, father, grandfather and coaches.

Alcaraz said his victory was “a dream come true’’ and turning to Djokovic, he reflected how the Serbian was one of his heroes.

“I have to congratulate Novak, it is amazing to play against him,’’ said Alcaraz.

“ It is unbelievable. I started playing tennis watching you, I mean to say when I was born you were already winning tournaments, its amazing. (But) 36 is the new 26 and you make that happen.’’

He also noted how King Felipe of Spain was watching the match from the royal box and said “It’s really, really special. I am proud you are here supporting me, I played in front of you twice and I won, I hope you are coming more.”

He reflected that he was “making history in this beautiful tournament, playing a final against a legend of the sport, it’s a dream come true.”

Alcaraz came back from a slow first set start to outstretch the seven times Wimbledon winner who has not been beaten on Wimbledon centre court in ten years.

“After the first set I thought (to myself) ‘Carlos increase the level, everyone will be disappointed’,’’ he said.

Carlos Alcaraz plays a backhand in the final against Novak Djokovic. Picture: Getty Images.

Alcaraz denied Djokovic a 24th grand slam victory, which would have equalled that of Australia’s top female player, Margaret Court, and in doing so has created what threatens to be a new dominance in the game.

Djokovic, who has won the Australian Open and the French Open and was hoping to complete the grand slam with Wimbledon and the US Open, said the loss, his first in 34 matches, was “a tough one to swallow’’ but acknowledged “I lost to a better player”.

Djokovic added: “What quality, at the end of the match to serve it out and come up with the big serves and big plays, it is amazing, amazing. I thought I would have trouble with you only on clay and hard court, but not on grass but now it’s a different story from this year obviously.”

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Prince George of Wales are seen in the Royal Box during the Men's Singles Final between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Carlos Alcaraz of Spain.

There were magnificent tussles in the match, including one game in the third set which took more than 20 minutes to play and involved 32 points with Alcaraz finally emerging victorious after seven break points.

The second set tie breaker saw Djokovic produce several uncharacteristic poor backhands, and he told how the blustery wind was difficult for some of his shots.

“I had my chances and could have closed out the second set tie breaker but he showed incredible defensive skills, he was a deserved winner today no doubt, ‘’ said Djokovic.

Then in the fifth set when Alcatraz broke Djokovic’s serve, Djokovic received a code violation for smashing his racquet into the net post, transforming it into a mangled mess. He also appeared to have jarred his wrist in the act of pique.

The match had been highly anticipated as Alcaraz, the US Open winner, was the world number one ranked, but Djokovic, with his vast experience was the hot favourite.

Novak Djokovic embraces Carlos Alcaraz after the match. Picture: Getty Images.

A host of royals turned up to watch: the patron of the All England Club, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, along with Prince William and two of their three children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte as well the King of Spain. Catherine presented a beaming Alcaraz with the winner’s trophy, telling him what an amazing match it was.

All afternoon the broadcast director had a multitude of celebrity options for camera angles in between the serves: the royals in the royal box or James Bond himself Daniel Craig and his fellow actor wife Rachel Weisz. Behind them was Australia’s tennis legend Neale Fraser.

Brad Pitt was in a seat just below the press pack, alongside the director Guy Ritchie and dotted around were Ariana Grande, Zawe Ashton and Tom Hiddleston. Australian actors Hugh Jackman and Deborah Lee Furness were also highly engaged in the match outcome.

When asked whether this was the start of a new rivalry, Djokovic said: “I hope so for my sake, he is going to be on the tour for quite some time. I don’t know how long I will be around. I hope we get to play the US Open, it is good for the sport to have number one and two facing each other in a five hours. five set thriller. It couldn’t be better for our sport.”