WIMBLEDON, England — For years, the men’s tennis world speculated about who could potentially replace the Big Three—Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal—once they retire. These legends have collectively dominated the sport with 66 major titles and global stardom.
The challenge of filling such large shoes seemed daunting, if not impossible, at least for now.
However, on Sunday, just weeks after clinching the French Open title, 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz once again proved he is up for the task. Alcaraz defeated Djokovic for the second consecutive year in the Wimbledon final. While their 2023 final was an epic nearly five-hour battle, the 2024 edition was more straightforward, with Alcaraz dominating from the start. In a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4) match lasting only two hours and 27 minutes, Alcaraz claimed his fourth major title in front of an adoring Centre Court crowd.
After sealing the win on his fourth championship point and holding off Djokovic in a tiebreak, Alcaraz celebrated as the fans stood in applause. In a venue hosting actual royalty, it felt like a coronation for tennis’ new king.
Djokovic, a 24-time major champion who has no plans to retire soon, acknowledged Alcaraz’s prowess, calling him “the best player of the tournament without a doubt” during the post-match conference.
With this victory, Alcaraz becomes the third-youngest man in the Open era to win four Grand Slam singles titles, following Mats Wilander and Bjorn Borg. His 4-0 record in major finals trails only Federer’s 7-0 among men in their first major finals. He also joins the ranks of the Big Three, Borg, and Rod Laver as the only men to win both the French Open and Wimbledon in the same season.
Among active male players, Alcaraz now ranks just behind Djokovic (24) and Nadal (22) in major singles titles, surpassing Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka (each with three). For many, Sunday’s triumph seemed to signal more than just another trophy.
“Love Djokovic,” tweeted injured former world No. 13 Nick Kyrgios, who lost to Djokovic in the 2022 Wimbledon final. “But is this maybe the first time we can say the ‘changing of the guard?!?!’”
At 21, Alcaraz is the youngest man to defend a major singles title since Rafael Nadal at the 2007 French Open.
This Wimbledon victory underscores just how far Alcaraz has come in his brief yet spectacular career. Expectations were high from the moment he burst onto the scene, especially after his quarterfinal run at the 2021 US Open in his main draw debut. And he has not only met but exceeded those expectations remarkably fast.
Alcaraz won his first Grand Slam title at the 2022 US Open, a year after his impressive debut, defeating Casper Ruud. Achieving the world No. 1 ranking followed.
Many first-time major champions have noted the immense pressure that comes with such titles. Alcaraz appeared susceptible to these expectations, withdrawing from the 2023 Australian Open due to a hamstring injury and suffering from debilitating cramps in a much-anticipated French Open semifinal against Djokovic, which he later attributed to nerves.
Despite these setbacks, Alcaraz entered the Wimbledon final against Djokovic just weeks later as an underdog. Wimbledon was only his fourth tournament on grass, and Djokovic, a seven-time champion and winner of the last four titles, was heavily favored.
Nevertheless, Alcaraz was unflinching on Sunday, being broken only once in 14 service games and winning 84% of first-serve points. He emerged victorious in eight of the nine rallies lasting nine shots or more.
Even after dropping the first set 6-1, Alcaraz maintained his focus, embracing the high-stakes moment. His forehand found its mark, and he grew more aggressive, his confidence swelling with each point. The crowd’s support further fueled his effort. What had initially seemed a duel between a legend and a prodigy became a battle of equals. Alcaraz won the second-set tiebreak and eventually the match 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.
While Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1 and reigning Australian Open champion, has also distinguished himself among Gen Z players, Alcaraz has set himself apart during this spring and summer. At the French Open, he defeated several top players, including 2021 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas and Sinner, before overcoming Alexander Zverev in a five-set final.
Failing to defend his title at Queen’s Club did not deter Alcaraz, who remained impressive at Wimbledon. Despite losing the first set in three of his matches, he consistently elevated his game to come back and win. In the semifinals against Daniil Medvedev, Alcaraz lost the first set in a tiebreak but won the next three. Asked how Alcaraz compared to the Big Three, Medvedev acknowledged he hadn’t faced Djokovic, Federer, or Nadal under 30 but still recognized Alcaraz’s exceptional talent.
“Carlos has a different game style from many players: some prefer defense, others counterattack, and some are super aggressive. He can do all of it,” Medvedev remarked. “Probably in my career he’s the toughest opponent I have faced.”
Over the last decade at Wimbledon, Djokovic stands 50-2 on Centre Court, with both losses to Alcaraz in the final, in 2023 and 2024.
In a 13-minute game to open the match, Alcaraz converted on his fifth break point and maintained his lead throughout. Even when Djokovic mounted a third-set comeback and saved three championship points, Alcaraz managed to close out the match in a tiebreak shortly after.
This victory places Alcaraz in a category he hadn’t previously occupied.
“Carlos Alcaraz’s triumph over a great champion like Novak Djokovic is a testament to his incredible talent, determination, and composure under pressure,” tweeted former world No. 1 and four-time Wimbledon champion Rod Laver. “Carlos has cemented his place among the tennis greats with his brilliant performance today.”
Rennae Stubbs, former player and ESPN analyst, also commented: “Wow, Alcaraz is one special young talent! I never thought I would see a player as great as Novak, Rafa, and Roger, but there is no doubt in my mind this kid might actually get to 20 [major titles] as well. Just phenomenal!”
Although Alcaraz holds the two most recent major titles, he will remain at No. 3 in the rankings, behind Sinner and Djokovic. However, rankings and records don’t seem to concern him as much as the bigger picture.
“Obviously it’s a really great start to my career, but I have to keep going,” Alcaraz said Sunday night. “I have to keep building my path. At the end of my career, I want to sit at the same table as the big guys. That’s my main goal. That’s my dream right now.
“It doesn’t matter if I already won four Grand Slams at the age of 21. If I’m not [able to] keep going, all these tournaments for me, it doesn’t matter. I really want to keep going. I will try to keep winning and end my career with a lot of them.”