On Sunday at Wimbledon, within the sunshine on Centre Court docket, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4) in a one-sided closing.
The Spaniard is now 4-0 in Grand Slam finals. He additionally received the US Open in 2022, Wimbledon final 12 months, and Roland-Garros final month.
Alcaraz is simply the second man within the Open Period to win his first 4 main finals in a row, after Roger Federer.
From the start, Alcaraz made Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, uncomfortable and by no means let him again in. The Spaniard broke the Serbian within the first recreation, which was 14 minutes, and that set the tone of the match.
“Yeah, the primary recreation was unbelievable,” Djokovic stated. “One of many longest first video games I’ve ever performed.
Photograph by Julian Finney/Getty Photographs
“I believe he was popping out from the blocks able to battle and able to play his greatest degree straight away, which wasn’t the case final 12 months the place I began higher, had a snug first-set win.
“At present, from the primary level, he was there, he was prepared.”
By the point the Serbian wished to get going, it was nearly the tip of the match.
“I attempted to struggle my manner within the third and are available again,” Djokovic stated, “saving three match factors, extending actually the match just a little bit. However I assume it was inevitable for him to win at present as a result of he was simply popping out on the court docket with a greater high quality tennis. It’s so simple as it is.
“Simply general the way in which I felt on the court docket at present in opposition to him, I used to be inferior on the court docket. That’s it. He was a greater participant. He performed each single shot higher than I did.
“I don’t suppose I might have completed one thing rather more. Attempt to pump myself up possibly, sure. Get the group concerned. That’s what was occurring within the third. That acquired me going just a little bit.
“Yeah, he wasn’t additionally permitting me to have a lot of a free factors on my serve. He was studying the serve. He was taking part in with quite a lot of selection.
I’ve by no means seen him serve that manner, to be sincere. 136. Perhaps I used to be lacking one thing this match, however I’ve by no means seen him serve that quick. He will need to have had a very good serving observe day yesterday (smiling).
“Sure, general he actually outplayed me.”
Alcaraz stated it was a tremendous feeling to win Wimbledon back-to-back. “Yeah, I imply, it’s nice. I’m actually proud and actually completely satisfied about it.”
“Clearly it was a fantastic match for me. Clearly, Novak didn’t play his greatest the primary two units, quite a lot of errors. I made probably the most of that.
“Yeah, it’s a nice feeling even interested by being French Open winner and Wimbledon champion the identical 12 months, that few gamers simply completed it earlier than. It’s unbelievable.
“I attempt to notice that I received Wimbledon twice and attempt to really feel that it was the identical feeling as final 12 months.”
At 21 years and 70 days, Alcaraz is the youngest participant of the Open Period to realize the Roland-Garros/Wimbledon double in the identical 12 months.
“Properly, clearly I’ve seen and I’ve heard all of the stats that I’m the youngest to win at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon the identical 12 months, to win no matter.
“I truthfully strive not to consider it an excessive amount of. Clearly, it’s a very nice begin of my profession, however I’ve to maintain going. I’ve to maintain constructing my path.
“On the finish of my profession, I wish to sit on the identical desk as the large guys. That’s my primary aim. That’s my dream proper now. It doesn’t matter if I already received 4 Grand Slams on the age of 21. If I’m not hold going, all these tournaments for me, it doesn’t matter.
“I actually wish to hold going. I’ll attempt to hold successful and finish my profession with quite a lot of them.”
