WIMBLEDON, England — For years, the men’s tennis world wondered who would emerge to challenge the dominance of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, who together have captured 66 major titles and captured global superstardom.
On Sunday, 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz demonstrated he might be the heir to the throne, defeating Djokovic in the Wimbledon final for the second year in a row. Alcaraz showcased his dominance from the start, winning convincingly 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4) in a match lasting just two hours and 27 minutes. This victory secured his fourth major title in front of an enthusiastic Centre Court audience.
Alcaraz has now won all four major finals he has competed in, making him the third-youngest man in the Open era to win four Grand Slam singles titles, following Mats Wilander and Bjorn Borg. He has also established a 4-0 record in major finals, second only to Federer’s 7-0.
During the post-match press conference, even Djokovic, a 24-time major champion, acknowledged Alcaraz’s talent, calling him “the best player of the tournament.”
With this victory, Alcaraz now joins an elite group of men who have won the French Open and Wimbledon in the same season. Among active players, he ranks third in major singles titles, behind only Djokovic and Nadal. His performance has even prompted fellow player Nick Kyrgios to speculate about a “changing of the guard.”
This Wimbledon triumph signifies Alcaraz’s meteoric rise in the world of tennis. From an impressive debut at the 2021 US Open to his first Grand Slam title at the 2022 US Open, Alcaraz has shown resilience and skill. Despite setbacks like a hamstring injury at the 2023 Australian Open and cramps during his French Open semifinal, he has continued to impress.
Facing Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, Alcaraz entered as the underdog, considering Djokovic’s impressive record on grass courts. But Alcaraz remained undeterred even after losing the first set. He refocused, embraced the moment, and ultimately won the match 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.
Alcaraz’s victory has positioned him alongside tennis legends and garnered high praise, including from former world No. 1 Rod Laver, who called his triumph a “testament to his incredible talent, determination, and composure under pressure.”
Rennae Stubbs, an ESPN analyst, also praised Alcaraz, speculating that he might reach the same heights as Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer.
Though Alcaraz will remain No. 3 in the rankings behind Jannik Sinner and Djokovic, his focus remains on long-term success. With his eyes set on the Olympic Games and future tournaments, Alcaraz aims to continue his ascent and cement his legacy in the sport.
“At the end of my career, I want to sit at the same table as the big guys,” Alcaraz said. “That’s my main goal. That’s my dream right now… I will try to keep winning and end my career with a lot of them.”