Wimbledon: Carlos Alcaraz Comes from a set down and beat Novak Djokovic to clinch first title 

Sunday’s Wimbledon final was billed as the ‘ultimate showdown’ by the Spaniard’s opponent, seven-time champion Novak Djokovic, and Alcaraz responded with a suitably inspired performance for a 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 victory. The World No. 1 recovered from a shaky start to deliver a high-quality championship-match display and become just the fifth man in the Open Era to win multiple major titles prior to turning 21.

“It’s a dream come true for me,” said Alcaraz at the trophy presentation, “As I said before, of course it’s great to win, but even if I had lost, I would be really proud of myself with this amazing run. Making history in this beautiful tournament, playing a final against a legend of our sport.

“It’s a dream come true to be able to play on these stages. It’s amazing for a boy, 20 years old, to reach this kind of situation really fast. I’m really, really proud of myself and the team that I have. The work we put in every day, to be able to lift this.”

Alcaraz, who won his first major at the 2022 US Open, snapped Djokovic’s 34-match winning streak at Wimbledon with his four-hour, 42-minute victory in an SW19 classic. The 20-year-old, whose brand of huge groundstrokes and delicate touches has lit up the All England Club this fortnight, is just the fourth active male player to lift the trophy at the All England Club, after Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.

Second seed Djokovic made a sizzling start in south-west London, but Alcaraz dug deep to snap the Serbian’s 14-tie-break winning streak at Grand Slam events and claim a crucial second set before later holding off a Djokovic comeback to claim the title. With the pair going toe to toe in a series of scintillating exchanges on the slick London grass, their third Lexus ATP Head2Head encounter frequently had the crowd on its feet on Centre Court.

Alcaraz was riddled with cramps after two sets of the pair’s Roland Garros semi-final in early June, but it was the Spaniard who finished the stronger of the two in this physical marathon clash. He powered 18 winners to Djokovic’s three in the final set, collapsing to the turf in emotional scenes after the Serbian sent a forehand slice into the net on championship point.

Alcaraz’s task of defeating Djokovic at Wimbledon, where the 36-year-old was chasing a fifth consecutive title, only became tougher after he was outplayed in the first set. Yet the Spaniard demonstrated his comfort on the big stage by rallying to a famous victory, just the second defeat Djokovic has suffered in 81 Wimbledon matches when he has won the opening set.

“After the first set, I thought, ‘Carlos, increase the level, everyone will be disappointed’,” said Alcaraz, who also prevented Djokovic from replacing him at No. 1 in Monday’s Pepperstone ATP Rankings with his win. “I have to congratulate Novak, it was amazing to play against him. What can I say about him? It’s unbelievable.

“You inspired me a lot, playing tennis, [I watched] you since I was born,” added Alcaraz, turning to Djokovic. “You were already winning tournaments. You are probably in better shape than me. Thirty-six is the new 26, you make that happen. It’s amazing.”

“Amazing, what quality at the end of the match,” said Djokovic of Alcaraz. “When you had to serve it out, you came up with some big serves and big plays so you deserve it, absolutely. Congratulations.

“I thought I would have trouble with you only on clay and maybe on hard courts but not on grass. But it’s a different story on grass from this year, obviously. Amazing way to adapt to the surface. You played twice before this year’s Wimbledon on grass, and it’s amazing what you did.”