Under the watchful eye of Prince William, on Sunday July 16 on Center Court at Wimbledon, a new tennis master made himself king, in five sets. After a failed start to the match, world number one Carlos Alcaraz overcame his runner-up in the ATP rankings and most successful Grand Slam player (23), Novak Djokovic (1-6, 7-6 [8-6]6-1, 3-6, 6-4).
Manhandled from the start, as during his defeat in June against the Serb in the semi-finals of the French Open, the Spaniard then showed impressive solidity. Better prepared this time, the native of El Palmar has gradually mastered his opponent, and his nerves. While remaining true to himself on the court, generous in effort, able to gain points in finesse, as in power.
“Carlitos” thus completes his rise to power on grass, he the earthling, winner a month earlier of the ATP 500 at Queen’s, prologue tournament at Wimbledon. At 20, the Murcian now signs his second Grand Slam victory, after his success in 2022 at the US Open.
A quick adaptation
Dominating on clay since the start of the season, Alcaraz surprised his world in Great Britain, on grass, during a tournament in which he had never reached the knockout stages. Having dropped only two sets before the final, the Spaniard easily got rid of world number six, Holger Rune (7-6 [7-3]6-4, 6-4), in the quarters, before inflicting, in the semi-final, the same sentence on number three, Daniil Medvedev (6-3, 6-3, 6-3).
Full of confidence when he entered Center Court on Sunday, Alcaraz first suffered everything he praised earlier, from his opponent: “He has no weakness (…), he is a complete player, who does nothing wrong on the court. Physically, he’s a monster. Mentally, he’s a monster. »
Dried in the first set (6-1) in just 34 minutes of play, the Spaniard with disheveled hair then made his pride speak. A sufficient turnaround to pocket the next two innings. First after a suffocating tie-break (7-6 [8-6]), exercise yet acclaimed by the Serb, who had won his last thirteen decisive games.
In the third set, the Spaniard inflicted on the Serb the lesson he himself had received in the first (6-1). With the difference that the two men fought for almost half an hour in the fifth game, during a succession of advantages and equalities.
In the fourth round, “Nole” regained breath and was sharper than the Spaniard (3-6). The two men then embarked on an electric fifth set where Alcaraz quickly broke Djovokic. The world number one then did not give an inch of ground to the Serb. A single match point was enough for him to conclude the game. Overjoyed, Alcaraz collapsed on Center Court once their success was achieved.