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.
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic to become the new Wimbledon champion
Carlos Alcaraz jumps into the stands to celebrate with his family and his team. He’s done something no-one else has for a decade. He’s beaten Novak Djokovic on Centre Court at Wimbledon.
There’s a new men’s singles champion for the first time since 2018. Djokovic’s quest for an eighth title will have to wait.
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 3-6 6-4 Novak Djokovic
The hubbub dies down around Centre Court as Carlos Alcaraz goes down the T. Novak Djokovic gets the ball back but the Spaniard finds the net with an attempted drop shot. 0-15.
A forehand drop shot in the next rally brings Djokovic up to the net but Alcaraz lobs the defending champion and gets on the board 15-15.
Djokovic slips after returning the serve but gets up and sprints into a backhand return. Alcaraz covers the angle and volleys back the winner. 30-15.
Djokovic unloads a forehand to the back corner and beats Alcaraz for pace. 30-30.
A fizzing serve down the T line sets up a match point as Djokovic goes long. 40-30.
Djokovic hits the net, Alcaraz wins the match, he’s the new Wimbledon champion!
Game, set, match and championship to Carlos Alcaraz!
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
*Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 3-6 5-4 Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic swiftly holds his serve to 15 once again but that is of no consequence just yet. Since he broke the defending champion in this set Carlos Alcaraz knew three holds of serve would take him to the title.
He’s held twice and now has the chance to serve of the match.
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 3-6 5-3 Novak Djokovic*
A point that really should got to Carlos Alcaraz instead slips away after he clips the tape and the ball lands wide. Novak Djokovic can’t get the next second serve in play and pumps a backhand over the back to leave this game at 15-15.
Another loose one from the champion puts Alcaraz in front as a backhand is nailed long. The Spaniard then flicks a forehand drop shot over the net to go 40-15 up.
He hodls with an ace! The 20-year-old is one game away from taking this match.
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
*Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 3-6 4-3 Novak Djokovic
Ace from Djokovic. He goes ahead but Alcaraz gets a forehand to dip onto the baseline and he draws level. A break of serve here would be massive for the Spaniard.
Djokovic edges ahead but Alcaraz unleashes on a ball that sits up and whips a forehand across court to draw back level at 30-30.
Under pressure, Djokovic sends the ball to Alcaraz’s right before smoking a backhand to the opposite side of court and leaving Alcaraz in a heap.
Djokovic holds!
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 3-6 4-2 Novak Djokovic*
Djokovic looks to approach the net and plays a great shot to the baseline which does for Alcaraz who miscues the ball straight up into the air and doesn’t get it back.
The Spaniard then attacks with his second serve and forces Djokovic into the net to get level again at 15-15. A wayward backhand floats over the back though and Alcaraz is back under pressure.
Djokovic then lifts a return of serve out of play before missing a relatively easy forehand to leave Alcaraz ahead at 40-30. The Spaniard serves wide, records an ace and takes the game.
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
*Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 3-6 3-2 Novak Djokovic
Whatever Carlos Alcaraz can do, so can Novak Djokovic. The defending champions holds to, not quite to love but to 15 in a rapid game, and gets moving again in this fifth set.
All the pressure will come from Alcaraz’s serve as Djokovic looks to break back. The Spaniard needs to hold three games and he’s the Wimbledon champion.
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 3-6 3-1 Novak Djokovic*
Novak Djokovic is furious. He launches the racket into the net post and gets a conduct warning from the umpire. Carlos Alcaraz remains focused.
His serve is superb and he quickly moves 30-0 ahead as Djokovic massages his wrist. He may have injured it in his temper tantrum.
If ever there was a time to hold serve to love, this is it. Alcaraz does so, the break is complete and the 20-year-old has control of the match as the crowd chants out his name.
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
*Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 3-6 2-1 Novak Djokovic
There’s no signs of fatigue as Djokovic is worked side-to-side by Alcaraz. The 20-year-old meets his return with a backhand down the middle to sneak ahead but he doesn’t stay there long as Djokovic draws level in the next rally.
The Spaniard peppers Djokovic’s backhand before coming up to the net and volleying home another winner. 15-30.
Not to be outdone, Djokovic serves wide and sends Alcaraz off balance. He gets the return in play but Djokovic powers a forehand to the other side of court to win the point and draw level.
An unforced error from Djokovic gives Alcaraz another break point.
This time he takes it! Djokovic flounders and falters, he falls down, gets up and stays in the rally. He pushes Alcaraz to the corner but gets beaten by a passing backhand and Alcaraz breaks in the fifth set!
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 3-6 1-1 Novak Djokovic*
All the pressure is on Carlos Alcaraz. Novak Djokovic has been in this situation many times before. He’s experienced and knows what he needs to do to get over the line.
Despite having the crowd on his side Alcaraz is up against living history. Djokovic is, arguably, the best there’s ever been and his mere presence takes things to another level.
The due trade blows and take this game to 30-30.
Wow, a looping, floaty backhand from Alcaraz sees him save break point as Djokovic volleys into the net. The Serb can’t believe he’s missed out on that one but he has.
From deuce, Alcaraz tidies up the game and manages to hold. This is some final.
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