Carlos Alcaraz: The boy wonder | Tennis News – Times of India

Alcaraz wows tennis world with stunning show in Wimbledon final; Djokovic calls him ‘complete player’
LONDON: It’s a long trudge to Centre Court for the Wimbledon finalists, through the slightly curved corridor of the club house – the sun-kissed, glass-paneled walls on one side and The Championships documented through the years on the other. Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic’s eyes sparked a monk-like focus, Carlos Alcaraz, the 20-year-old phenom, took in the large gathering at the entrance of the club.He smiled, perhaps to release the tension.
Then they descended the stairs, the 36-year-old first, washed in the light of chandeliers, cameras trained at them. Prize fighters.Some five hours later, following a 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 win over the 23-time major winner Djokovic, Alcaraz was on the Wimbledon balcony, showing his trophy to the fans, who had gathered in thousands on the grounds below.
They cheered him and he applauded them. A musical consonance.
“The happiest moment of my life, the biggest moment of my life,” Alcaraz said. “I’m 20, I didn’t live too many situations like this. Beating Novak, winning Wimbledon, making history is something that I dream about since I start to play tennis. ” Djokovic came into the title match at SW19 with a long shopping list – an eighth Wimbledon trophy, fifth in succession, a 35th consecutive win, and a 24th Grand Slam title. A win on Sunday would’ve put him on the road to a calendar Grand Slam.

Of the last 20 Grand Slams Djokovic has contested since 2018, he has won 11 and made the finals three other times.
While the 36-year-old gladiator’s run on major stages won him global applause and appreciation, men’s tennis was increasingly looking like o ne-way traffic. With Roger Federer retired, Rafael Nadal, looking at next season as a swansong after spending most of 2023 on the sidelines, outside of what Daniil Medvedev did in New York in 2021, the next generation were woefully out of sorts in five-set matches.
“I did this for myself,” Alcaraz said. “Beating Novak at his best, on this stage, being the one to beat him on this court where he is unbeaten for ten years, is amazing for me. It’s great for the new generation, as well. To see me beat him, will make them think they are capable of doing it as well.”

When Djokovic met Alcaraz in the semifinals at Roland Garros, he sent him on an endless treasure hunt in the first two sets. The Spaniard started cramping. Overwhelmed by the moment and the occasion, Alcaraz succumbed.
The message was clear, Djokovic doesn’t lose, his opponent must win the match to finish on the right side of the scoreline. Alcaraz blasted 66 winners on Sunday.
The final had lessons for Alcaraz and hopefully for a generation of players for whom the 20-year-old authored the ‘how to get it done’ manual. A rubric, 334 points.
“Probably before this match I thought that I wasn’t ready to beat Djokovic in five sets,” Alcaraz said. “That I could stay physically and mentally about five hours with a legend. After this epic match, I think differently about (playing) Novak. Probably in other tournaments, in other Grand Slams, I will remember this moment…. probably this match changed my mind a little bit.”

There’s already anticipation heading into New York for the season’s final Grand Slam in August. Djokovic is so competitive, and so not done even at 36, bet on the Serb to come up with answers, Alcaraz is hungry and the cerebral Medvedev’s brains must already be ticking. Djokovic, generous in his praise for Alcaraz, said the Spaniard’s play had shades of the big three.
“People have been talking about his game consisting of certain elements from Roger, Rafa, and myself. He’s got the best of three worlds,” Djokovic said. “He’s got this mental resilience and maturity, for someone who is 20 year s old it’s quite impressive. He’s got this Spanish bull mentality, fighting spirit and incredible defense that we’ve seen with Rafa over the years. He’s got some nice sliding backhands, defense, and being able to adapt. That has been my strength for many years. Carlos is a very complete player.”
It’s the kind of spin, the men’s game desperately needed. Expect a counter. And then another.