Wimbledon 2023 LIVE: Reaction after Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic in final for the ages
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 1-6 7-6 6-1 3-6 6-4 to win one of the greatest ever Wimbledon finals
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic to win the Wimbledon men’s final, denying the Serbian a fifth consecutive title, in a five-set epic and one of the greatest matches ever played at the All England Club.
Alcaraz fought from a set down in an instant classic to end Djokovic’s winning run in SW19, with the match played across almost five hours of breathtaking drama. Before the final, Djokovic had won 34 consecutive matches at Wimbledon and had not lost on Centre Court since 2013, but Alcaraz overturned history to win his second grand slam title. Djokovic had also won his previous 104 grand slam matches after winning the opening set.
In doing so, the 20-year-old Spaniard brings one of the most dominant eras of tennis history to an end. Alcaraz is the first player outside of the sport’s ‘big four’ of Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray to win the Wimbledon men’s singles title since 2002. Djokovic had been bidding to join Federer by equalling his men’s record of eight singles titles, but was denied by an inspired Alcaraz.
“It’s a dream come true for me,” an emotional Alcaraz said after receiving the trophy from the Princess of Wales. “Making history in this beautiful tournament, playing a final against a legend of our sport – for me it’s incredible. It’s amazing, for a boy like me, 20 years old, to reach this kind of situation.”
Follow live updates and results from day 14 of Wimbledon, below.
Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to become the new Wimbledon champion
What did Carlos Alcaraz have to say after becoming the newest Wimbledon champion? Here’s his reaction to a famous victory over Novak Djokovic:
“It’s a dream come true for me. I said before, it is so good to win but even if I would have lost I would be really proud of myself. Making history in this beautiful tournament, playing a final against a legend of the sport. It’s a dream come true.
“It was unbelievable to play in these stages. It’s amazing for a boy – 20 years-old - I didn’t expect to reach this situation really fast. I am really proud of myself, I am really proud for the team and the work we put in every day to be able to lift this.
“After the first set I thought ‘Carlos, increase the level. Everyone would be disappointed’.
“I have to congratulate Novak, it was amazing to play against him. You inspire me a lot. I started playing tennis watching you. Since I was born you were already winning tournaments. You said 36 is the new 26 and you make that happen. It’s amazing.”
Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to become the new Wimbledon champion
Novak Djokovic was asked whether he can reflect positively after reaching a third Grand Slam final in 2023 to which he replied:
“I will be tomorrow morning probably but today not so much. Tough one to swallow when you are so close. There are the moment that we work for every day to play on the biggest stages and biggest courts and most important tournaments in the world.
“I’ve been blessed with so many incredible matches throughout my career. I’m really grateful. I lost to a better player and I have to move on stronger.
“It’s nice to see my son still there, still smiling. I love you, thank you for supporting me and we can all have a big hug, and love each other.
“Thank you.”
Carlos Alcaraz captures the impossible and now Wimbledon will never be the same again
Wimbledon has a new champion, and a new hero. To break new ground and end Novak Djokovic’s dominance at the All England Club, Carlos Alcaraz had to go to a place no one else had dared to reach, dragging the most successful men’s player of all time into a battle that saw this final live up to its hype and will be remembered as one of the greatest ever staged here.
In overturning history, Alcaraz played with a spirit of infectious belief and carried Centre Court with him. The 20-year-old Spaniard met Djokovic head on, denying the Serbian a fifth consecutive Wimbledon title, refusing to go down against the game’s most formidable force and a legend of the sport who had won 104 matches in a row from a set up at the grand slams.
Report from Centre Court
Carlos Alcaraz captures the impossible and now Wimbledon will never be the same again
Carlos Alcaraz not only became the Wimbledon champion when he defeated Novak Djokovic, but the people’s champion as well
Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to become the new Wimbledon champion
Reaction from Novak Djokovic who spoke following his defeat saying: “Good afternoon to everyone - not so good for me but good for Carlos.
“I have to start with praises to Carlos and his team. What a quality at the end of the match when you had to serve it out. You can up with some big plays in the big situation and you absolutely deserve it . Amazing.
“I thought I would have trouble with you only on clay and hard court, but not on grass but now it’s a different story from this year obviously. Congrats, amazing way to adapt to the surface tou played maybe one or twice.
“Amazing, what you did in Queens and congratulations to everybody in your team.
“As for me, you never like to lose matches like these but I guess when all the emotions are settled I’ll have to be very grateful. I won many tight and close matches in the past here, to name a few. 2019 against Roger. Maybe I should have lost a few finals that I won so maybe this is even stevens.”
Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to become the new Wimbledon champion
Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to become the new Wimbledon champion
Here’s the moment that Carlos Alcaraz became a Wimbledon champion:
Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to become the new Wimbledon champion
At 20 years and 72 days old Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest men’s Wimbledon champion since Boris Becker (17 years, 227 days in 1985 and 18 years, 226 days in 1986) and Bjorn Borg (20 years, 27 days in 1976).
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to become the new Wimbledon champion
“You deserve it, you were amazing,” says Novak Djokovic to Carlos Alcaraz in his post match interview, “Congratulations.”
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to become the new Wimbledon champion
What a match and what a victory for Carlos Alcaraz. He was demolished in the opening set but rallied and took the next two. Novak Djokovic fought back to win the fourth set but an early break for Alcaraz in the fifth saw him sweep through to the title.
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