By Marc McGowan
Novak Djokovic was not playing any imaginary violins today.
There was also not a repeat of last year’s five-set Wimbledon final thriller in the 2024 rematch. That was the changing-of-the-guard moment, whereas this was the emphatic reminder of how things have changed.
Carlos Alcaraz handed Djokovic arguably his most humbling defeat in any grand slam final on Sunday – an extraordinary 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) beatdown – as he secured back-to-back Wimbledon titles and a fourth major overall at the tender age of 21.
The remarkable Spaniard is already well on the path to greatness, even if he does not yet consider himself a champion. No man in history has won more grand slam titles at the same age, with only Bjorn Borg, Mats Wilander and Boris Becker matching him to this point.
Alcaraz can complete his major set at the Australian Open in January, but is already the sixth man in the open era – and the youngest – to capture the “Channel Slam”, joining Rod Laver, Borg, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Djokovic in winning the Roland-Garros-Wimbledon double in the same year.
It was the first leg of the daily double for Spain, with the country’s football team beating England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin to complete a historic sporting day for the country.
Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses with the trophy after retaining his Wimbledon title.Credit: Getty Images
“Honestly, it is a dream for me, winning this trophy,” Alcaraz said.
“I did an interview at 11 or 12 years old, and I said my dream was to win Wimbledon ... it’s a great privilege to play on this beautiful court, [and] to lift this trophy. I said it before – for me, this is the most beautiful tournament, the most beautiful court and the most beautiful trophy.”
The scoreline would have been even more authoritative if not for an unlikely twist.
Alcaraz double-faulted on triple championship point in the 10th game of the third set, and suddenly – but only briefly – unravelled to drop serve for the sole time in the match, as he showed his first nerve-jangling signs of what he was on the verge of achieving.
It just meant Alcaraz had to go the longer route, and he never looked like losing the third-set tiebreak. Alcaraz needed just one more championship point, with Djokovic dumping a backhand return into the net.
There is already an obsession about where the genial and humble Alcaraz’s career might head.
American great Pete Sampras retired in 2003 with the then-most major titles among men with 14. Federer (20), Nadal (22) then Djokovic (24) all obliterated that tally, and now the debate is whether Alcaraz might be capable of the unthinkable: chasing the “Big Three” down.
Alcaraz, for his part, simply wants to “sit at the same table” as tennis’ biggest names.
Carlos Alcaraz smiles after receiving his trophy from the Princess of Wales.Credit: AP
“Everything we have done already has been unbelievable – an amazing journey so far,” Alcaraz said.
“I really want to keep going, to keep improving, to keep growing up, to try to keep winning. That’s all that matter for me right now. I don’t know what is my limit. I don’t want to think about it.
“I just want to keep enjoying my moment, to keep dreaming. So, let’s see if, at the end of my career, it’s going to be 25, 30, 15, four ... let’s see what the future brings to me.”
Djokovic won only two games across the first two sets in the 2020 Roland-Garros final against Nadal, but similarly to Sunday’s occasion, he at least managed to push Alcaraz’s fellow Spanish great to a 7-5 third set.
This was just the fifth time in Djokovic’s 37 slam finals that he failed to win a set.
The tone was set in a marathon 14-minute opening game of the match on Djokovic’s serve, which went Alcaraz’s way on his fifth break point, when the Serbian legend narrowly missed a forehand. Alcaraz was 2-0 up three minutes later.
That start could hardly have been starker to 12 months earlier, when Djokovic raced to a 5-0 lead. This time, Alcaraz put his figurative foot on his experienced rival’s throat from the outset and rarely took it off.
What soon became obvious was that Alcaraz had another gear to go to that Djokovic did not, at least now at 37 years old. It was a baseline demolition, particularly in the second set, when Alcaraz won 63 per cent of his points from the back of the court compared to Djokovic’s 25 per cent.
He also pounded 42 winners to the Serb’s 26 and made one fewer unforced error, while Djokovic won barely half his points at the net, including missing several straightforward volleys that cost him.
The Spaniard made a mockery of pre-match chatter that Djokovic’s form line was better than his. None of that mattered, with Alcaraz producing one of his finest displays, particularly on such a significant stage.
The first two sets were a hiding of the sort Djokovic has rarely been on the wrong end of.
Djokovic inevitably, if belatedly, rose to the challenge in the third set, and had his chances to gain a foothold in the contest.
Novak Djokovic was outclassed by Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon men’s singles finalCredit: AP
After being broken to begin both of the first two sets, Djokovic held strongly to start the third, but had to stave off four break points to go 2-1 ahead.
Alcaraz finally faced a break point in the sixth game, only to hammer a huge first serve down the T that did not come back.
The young bull went for the kill again three games later, bludgeoning three winners to break and earn the chance to serve for the match.
“Obviously, [it is] not the result I wanted and, of course, especially the first couple of sets, the level of tennis wasn’t up to par from my side, but credit to Carlos for playing some amazing, very complete tennis ... he had it all today,” Djokovic said.
“I tried to push him, saved the three match points and extended the match, but it wasn’t meant to be. He was a deserved winner today – congratulations to him for an amazing performance.”
He denied Djokovic the chance to equal Federer’s eight All England club championships and claim a record 25th major title. That would have seen him move clear of Australia’s Margaret Court for the most by a man or woman.
There must now be a query on whether Djokovic, who is yet to win a title at any level this year, will add to his mighty grand slam tally.
Alcaraz will remain at No.3 in the rankings when they update on Monday, behind his great rival and world No.1 Jannik Sinner and Djokovic, but he has an overwhelming case as the sport’s best current player.
“It is a huge honour for me to be part of those players who have achieved the Roland-Garros and Wimbledon in the same year,” Alcaraz said.
“I’m glad to be on the same table as Novak to do it [and with other] huge champions.
“I don’t consider myself a champion yet, but I try to keep going, to keep building my path, my journey.”
Marc McGowan is at Wimbledon with the support of Tennis Australia.
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.