Demonstration of power
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Carlos Alcaraz confidently defended his Wimbledon title on Sunday in a repeat of last year's final against Novak Djokovic. However, the 21-year-old Spaniard was far too strong against the Serb, who would have loved to write tennis history with his 25th major title. In contrast to last year's five-set final thriller at Church Road, the world number three won 6:2, 6:2, 7:6(4) after 2:27 hours, but it was only exciting in the third set.
The Spaniard thus set the tone on what was a historic day for his home country. In the evening, the Spanish national soccer team was supposed to win its fourth European Championship title against England in the final. "I've already done my job, let's see what they do in soccer," said Alcaraz during the winner's interview, being very cautious. Because as much as he loves the public, they are clearly not on his side when it comes to the European Championship final.
The 21-year-old was much more under the impression of his latest victory. "Honestly, it's a dream come true for me to win this trophy. In an interview when I was eleven years old, I said that it was my dream to win Wimbledon. I've said it before: for me it's the most beautiful tournament, the most beautiful place and the most beautiful trophy." He was presented with the latter by Princess Kate.
He is only the sixth player in the professional era after Rod Laver, Björn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Djokovic to win the particularly difficult double, the French Open and Wimbledon, within a few weeks of each other. "It's a great honor for me to be part of this circle. They are great champions, I don't see myself as a champion yet," said Alcaraz modestly, adding with a laugh after the audience's "objection": "not like them".
However, Alcaraz did not forget to pay tribute to his opponent in the final. "Novak, it's been a very difficult few weeks for you. You did a great job after the injury. You didn't know if you would be able to play here at all. What a great run, I have a lot of respect for you."
The 24-time major winner also had nothing but words of praise for the youngster. "He was definitely very strong today. It's not the result I wanted," admitted Djokovic. He had not found his level in the first two sets, while Alcaraz played "complete tennis" in his view. "I tried to push him and dragged the match out a bit. But he is an absolutely deserved winner today."
Djokovic, who had knee surgery around five weeks ago, was ultimately also satisfied due to this previous history. The fact that he reached his tenth Wimbledon final hardly seemed possible before the tournament. "Of course. I must be very proud, but of course there is a bit of disappointment. When I think back on what I've been through over the past four or five weeks, I have to say that I'm very satisfied. Wimbledon was always my childhood dream. I'm a kid living my childhood dream."
Looking at his children Stefan (9) and Tara (6), Djokovic became sentimental. "I get tears every time I see my children and I'm grateful that my two angels are starting to love tennis too." He even said to his son: "I don't know if I have the nerve to accompany you as your coach, but I will be there for you."
The match had not started at all to the liking of record major winner Djokovic. In the 14-minute opening game, he initially fended off four break chances, but Alcaraz then took advantage of the fifth. When the Spaniard made it 3:1 with a service game and then took the "Djoker's" serve again to make it 4:1, the first set was already decided. Djokovic had come to the net unusually often and only scored four out of twelve points at the net. After fending off a rebreak opportunity from the Serb, Alcaraz took the set 1:0 to lead 6:2 after just 41 minutes.
Anyone expecting Djokovic to put up a big fight was disappointed. The seven-time Wimbledon winner had to surrender his serve again right at the start - in front of Princess Kate and US actor Tom Cruise, among others. This turned Djokovic's bid to win his 25th major into a "mission impossible". He lost his service again at 2:5 and Alcaraz then used the first set point to make it 6:2 again.
Djokovic, who could have drawn level with Roger Federer (eight Wimbledon titles) with a win, kept the third round a little more open. But only after he had fended off no fewer than four break points in the third game. At 3:2 for Djokovic, a turnaround seemed conceivable when the Serb had a break point. The superiority of the first two sets had evaporated and this was mainly due to a better performance from Djokovic. The match finally achieved the tension that had been missing in the one-sided first two sets.
Alcaraz missed three match points
Alcaraz stepped up a gear, however, and with a convincing break to 5:4 everything seemed clear. Even more so when Alcaraz had three match points at 40:0 after 2:07 hours. But the Spaniard got the "heavy arm" that is not uncommon in tennis, he became nervous and Djokovic played the balls back steadily. With a lot of help from Alcaraz, the world number two managed to break back to 5:5 and then take a 6:5 lead. Alcaraz then served his way into the tie-break.
When Alcaraz then had his fourth match point at 6:4, he held his nerve and served out. Fourth major final, fourth victory in the end for Alcaraz, who collected a winner's cheque worth the equivalent of 3.21 million euros.
Looking back on the excitement at the end, he said. "Novak is an incredible fighter. I wanted to win the point with the service, but I couldn't do that. It was difficult for me, I tried to stay calm. I'm happy that I played a great tiebreak."
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