After years of false starts, men’s tennis is finally having a proper war between the generations.
In a surprise comeback that shook the venerable Center Court of the All England Club, Carlos Alcaraz, the 20-year-old Spanish star who exploded the sport in his short career, pulled off the almost impossible, defeating Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final on the final . grass that the man widely recognized as the greatest to ever play the sport has long treated as his back lawn.
Down and struggling simply to avoid embarrassment, Alcaraz rediscovered his unique combination of speed, power and touch and figured out the subtleties of grass court tennis in the moment.
He clawed his way back into the match in an epic 90-minute second set in which he was a point away from what appeared to be an insurmountable two-set deficit.
He seized control of the match midway through the third set, landing a crucial second break of Djokovic’s often unbreakable serve during a game that included 13 deuces.
He faltered in the fourth set as Djokovic, the four-time defending Wimbledon champion and seven-time winner of the most important of tennis championships and as dangerous a player as he has ever been in the face of defeat, calmed himself down and rediscovered the magical footwork he has. long served as the foundation of his success.
But then Alcaraz rose again to claim victory, 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, not only defeating Djokovic’s seemingly endless skills and talents but also breaking his spirit.
When the momentum swung the last time, when Alcaraz moved back down the line to break Djokovic’s serve early in the fifth set, the Serbian with the steeliest of minds smashed his racket on the net post. A few points ahead, he spoiled his chance to take control, swinging at a floating forehand in the middle of the court and sending it into the net. Now, just a few minutes later, what has so rarely happened to him in recent years – a loss to a relative newcomer on a grand stage, especially this grand stage and with tennis history in his grasp – happened.
For Djokovic, the 23-time Grand Slam men’s singles champion who last month finally defeated his long-time rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the loss cost him a shot at one of the few prizes he has missed out on – becoming the first man since 1969. to reach the Grand Slam, winning all four Grand Slam tournaments in a single year. He was within one game of pulling off the feat two years ago. This time, at 36, an age when most champions retire to the broadcast booth, he was eight matches away, which seemed much closer than it would have been for anyone else.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.