Carlos Alcaraz stunned Novak Djokovic to win the Wimbledon men's singles tennis title on Sunday (16 July 2023).
* The 20-year-old Spaniard won 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in four hours and 42 minutes to end Djokovic's hopes of a calendar Grand Slam for this year at least.
* It was Alcaraz's second Slam title with his first coming at last year's US Open.
* After dropping the first set, the youngster won a second-set tiebreak - ending Djokovic's Open era Grand Slam record of 15 consecutive breaker wins - before taking the initiative in the third.
* The seven-time champion fought back in the fourth set to level the match, but Alcaraz would not be denied in just his fifth grass-court tournament as he joined Manolo Santana and Rafael Nadal as Spanish men's singles winners at Wimbledon.
* Alcaraz said in his on-court interview, "It's a dream come true. It's great to win but even if I'd lost I'd have been very proud playing against a legend of our sport. For me, it's incredible.
* "For a boy of 20 years old, I really didn't expect to reach this situation. It's really really fast. I'm really proud of myself and the team I have around me.
* "After the first set, I thought, 'Carlos, increase the level.' I have to congratulate Novak. What can I say about him? You inspire me a lot. I started playing tennis, watching you. Since I was born, you already were winning tournaments. It's amazing. You said 36 is the new 26 and you make that happen."
* It was Djokovic's first defeat at Wimbledon since 2017 and means he remains on 23 Grand Slam titles, one behind the all-time record held by Margaret Court.
* He was fulsome in his praise of the victor afterwards, saying "I thought I'd only have trouble with you on clay and hard courts but now...
* "You never like to lose matches like this but, when all the emotions have settled, I have to be very happy. I won close games before - maybe I should have lost a couple of finals I won here - so this is even stevens."
Source :
Olympics
