Changing of the guard: Carlos Alcaraz dethrones Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon

Carlos Alcaraz seemingly did the impossible, defeating sports icon Novak Djokovic in a grand slam final, 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.

Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in a grand slam final. The era of The Big Three is definitively, officially over. For real, this time.

For decades tennis fans have seen the same three names grace the trophies of the slams: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and of course, the player who holds the most on the men’s side, Novak Djokovic. For the past 21 years, only the Big Four have lifted The Cup, including Andy Murray’s two Wimby titles.

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“When I was born, it was the big four dominating Wimbledon,” said 20-year-old Alcaraz. The year he was born, 2003, was the year that Federer won his very first major, fittingly at the All England Club.

Federer would go on to an electric string of grand slams, spurring on his great rivals Nadal and Djokovic, who surpassed him by one and two more majors. It was the golden age of tennis, giving us perhaps the greatest rivalries and competition the sport has ever seen. But it’s now over, and tennis has a new king: Carlos Alcaraz, who became the youngest men’s champion since Boris Becker’s storied run at Wimbledon at age 17.

And the two-time slam champion performed under pressure in front of two sets of royalty, including his own King Felipe VI of Spain, who was of course all smiles. The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, along with two of their children, were also in attendance. The Princess of Wales awarded the trophy and runner up dish to the players.

“I played twice in front of you before and I won,” joked Alcaraz, to King Felipe. “And I hope you’re coming to more.”

Wimbledon: Novak Djokovic praises Carlos Alcaraz

“Praises for Carlos,” said 36-year-old Djokovic, during the trophy ceremony. Djokovic had been bidding to beat several records, including a 25th major, which would have made him holding the most slams—man or woman—one more above Margaret Court’s 24, tying Federer’s most Wimbledon titles at eight and becoming the oldest grand slam winner. Djokovic would have also overtaken Alcaraz as the world No. 1 again. But the Spaniard will retain his comfortable perch above the ATP rankings.

Djokovic also understood his great place in the history of the sport and had nothing but humble praise for his great rival Alcaraz.

“Amazing, praises for Carlos,” said Djokovic about Alcaraz. “You deserve it.”

The nods to history were resplendent throughout the match. More than any other slam, Wimbledon epitomizes this best, with both players paying their respect to Federer in their speeches.

“When all the emotions are settled, I still have to be grateful,” said 24-time slam winner Djokovic. Reflecting on the epic and historic matches he participated in over the last few decades, he said he was lucky to win some, noting the tough loss for Federer in the tight 2019 final.

“Maybe I should have lost a couple of finals that I won, so this is even-steven,” he laughed. Djokovic was also overcome when he saw his son in the player’s box and thanked him and the rest of his family for all their support.

The set went the distance, a five set, high-quality level of tennis. If Alcaraz was going to demonstrate he was part of the new guard, he certainly left no question. Djokovic wasn’t injured, Djokovic was trying his best, and the sports icon found a second win in the fourth set, fighting until the bitter end. But a crucial break in the fifth gave the 20-year-old Alcaraz the confidence he needed to stick the landing. And with match point on the line in the fifth, he secured the breakthrough victory with his powerhouse forehand cross court, without any hint of nerves or doubt.

“It’s a dream come true for me,” said Alcaraz, at the start of his trophy speech.

“I thought I would have trouble with you on clay and hard court, but not on grass,” said Djokovic about Alcaraz’s abilities to quickly adapt to grass this year, making the new Wimbledon champion a truly all-court great.

“I fell in love with grass right now,” said Alcaraz during the ceremony, having only played four tournaments on the surface. Suffice it to say, the 20-year-old is a quick study!

The next grand slam is the U.S. Open, where we can hope this rivalry of ages will continue. The U.S. Open begins next month, on Aug. 20.