ALCARAZ BEATS DJOKOVIC IN THRILLER

Sun 16 July 2023:

An attempted drop shot, which he has landed on a few occasions, fails to come off as Djokovic is afforded a precious early lead given the circumstances.

However, the Spaniard follows it up with a fantastic lofted shot over Djokovic to even it up.

Djokovic loses his footing after chasing a wide forehand from Alcaraz on the right side, but Alcaraz is able to get low on his backhand to just place a lovely drop shot away from Djokovic.

Djokovic ties it up again, but soon after a 130 mph bullet from Alcaraz gives him a Championship point opportunity.

A booming forehand across Djokovic is just too good as he fails to clear the net, and Alcaraz is brought to his feet as he becomes the latest men’s singles champion of Wimbledon at the tender age of 20.

Alcaraz 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 Djokovic

The Spanish sensation has done it 🇪🇸@carlosalcaraz triumphs over Novak Djokovic, 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in an all-time classic#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/sPGLXr2k99

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 16, 2023

Djokovic pays tribute to Alcaraz, sending congratulations to him and his team.

“I thought I was only going to have trouble with you on clay,” he jokes.

He adds: “It’s a tough one to swallow when you’re so close … but I lost to a better player and I have to congratulate him and move on stronger hopefully.”

“It’s a dream come true,” says Alcaraz as he accepts the winner’s trophy.

He says he’s proud of the work he and his team put in to win Wimbledon at just 20 years old and pays tribute to Djokovic, joking that the Serb was winning trophies before he was born.

“You inspired me a lot,” he says.

Alcaraz also mentioned his drastic improvement on grass.

“I fell in love with grass. It’s amazing to play at this level in a really short period, just four tournaments on grass,” he says. “I am really happy with the work we put in. I learned fast and I’m proud.”