Stepping into the grass filled with anxiety and determination, Carlos Alcaraz, a 20-year-old Spanish prodigy, looked into the eyes of Novak Djokovic. The 36-year-old superstar who holds 23 Grand Slam tournament titles and has beaten the hopes and dreams of many young tennis athletes, met his match July 16 at this year’s Wimbledon tournament.
The historic championship that rocked the All-England Club’s Tennis court in London, Wimbledon, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, is known as one of the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournaments in the world.
Djokovic, a renowned tennis player, has dominated the tennis courts over the years, but this year was a little different, as Alcaraz swooped in dethroning the master, Djokovic.
The Serbian almost had a fifth consecutive Wimbledon title, but Alcaraz’s epic five-set 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4, claimed the victory and secured his first Wimbledon title.
Overturning history, Alcaraz remains the world’s No. 1 player and secured two Grand Slam tournaments. The prodigy is now the youngest Wimbledon finalist since 2006 and the youngest winner since 1986.
Receiving the trophy from the Princess of Wales, an emotional Alcaraz considers his win an incredible and rewarding experience in an interview from Independent UK.
“This a dream come true for me,” Alcaraz said. “Making history in this tournament and playing a final against a legend of our sport, to me it’s incredible. It’s amazing for a boy my age, to reach this achievement.”
Though Alcaraz was down and struggling after the first set, he later rediscovered his unique talent in speed, power and the touch of the grass court in the nick of time.
As he battled his way back to the second set, Alcaraz won the tiebreaker to secure his victory, breaking Djokovic’s record for tiebreakers at a Major.
Seizing control of the game midway through the third match, Alcaraz finished the set with a 6-1 victory putting pressure on Djokovic, the four-time defending champion, who was now facing tough competition in the fourth set.
Swinging their tennis rackets in the air, Djokovic momentum carried in the last parts of the game proving to the world and Alcaraz that he wouldn’t go down easy. In defeat, Djokovic took his loss in grace and applauded Alcaraz for his win and talent.
“He was the deserved winner today, no doubt about that,” Djokovic said. “He surprised me, he surprised everyone. I haven’t played a player like him before.”
Besides all its glory, as fans cheered on between the two players and watched them intensely serve the ball across the bright green grass court, they were around A-list celebrities sitting in the crowd watching the game unfold around them.
Celebrities like Andrew Garfield, Ariana Grande, Emma Watson, Brad Pitt and Princess of Wales Kate were spotted court-side style rooting for the two players.
As fans shouted “Novak, Novak” and “Carlos, Carlos” in the air, some might say the game was a battle between two generations, as Alcaraz served his way to victory, becoming part of Wimbledon history.
Erik Acosta is the web and copy editor and may be reached at [email protected]
