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 vs Novak Djokovic
*Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 2-2 Novak Djokovic
That’s impressive. From deuce, Novak Djokovic takes no time in getting through to a hold of serve.
The fourth set has been going on for 33 minutes already with just four games played.
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 2-1 Novak Djokovic*
Just to keep the nerves of everyone watching in check this match could do with two or three easy holds of serve. That would let things settle down.
Based on what’s come before though, that’s unlikely to happen. Each game is a slugfest of drama with the players trading body blows at each other.
Djokovic gets an overhead into court but Alcaraz is there to whip a cross court forehand winner past him. He then forces Djokovic to go long and the game is level at 30-30.
Another tit-for-tat brings this Djokovic service game to deuce as well.
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 2-1 Novak Djokovic*
Alcaraz pins Djokovic in the corner with a powerful forehand before taking the point with an overhead smash. Djokovic finds the net in the next rally and the game goes to the Spaniard.
The fourth set is still on serve.
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
*Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 1-1 Novak Djokovic
Alcaraz is living up to his No. 1 seed billing and then some. When Djokovic gets a point, he resets and goes again. The Spaniard is racing back and forth across the court to make the rallies as long as possible. He’s giving Djokovic a taste of his own medicine.
The defending champion is the defending champion for a reason though. At 40-15 down he fights back to deuce and tries to assert some dominance on his opponent.
Alcaraz gets a drop volley over the net to take the point before a double fault brings the game back to deuce.
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
*Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 1-1 Novak Djokovic
Djokovic holds! He needed that one to stop the momentum that Alcaraz had built up in the third set. The defending champion looks to be feeling it more than is younger opponent but he’s sticking in the match.
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 1-0 Novak Djokovic*
Oh my! Djokovic works Alcaraz out wide on both sides of the court. The youngster defends wonderfully and is rewarded as Djokovic nails one into the net.
Alcaraz lands a great return on the baseline in the next rally which Djokovic challenges. The ball is shown to be in and the Spaniard moves further ahead.
Djokovic is in another hole but has the skill set to get out of it. He takes the next point but then slips as Alcaraz smokes back a forehand. 15-40.
Two break points for Alcaraz.
The first is saved. A backhand down the line forces Alcaraz to stretch, he gets to the ball but catches it all wrong and spoons it into his own side of court.
The Spaniard then forces one wide and Djokovic is level at deuce.
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 1-0 Novak Djokovic*
Djokovic takes his time getting back onto the court but he’s within the allotted amount of seven minutes. Carlos Alcaraz has the serve for this first game in the fourth set but Djokovic is the one to get on the board first.
A double fault from the Spaniard puts Djokovic 0-30 up and there’s some pressure on the 20-year-old now. He responds to it well with a fizzing serve down the T line that brings him his first point.
Alcaraz holds his nerve to win back-to-back points and sneaks in front. He then fires a wonder serve down the middle and holds serve.
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
*Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 0-0 Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic has left the court for a bathroom break in between sets. He knows now that he needs to win the remaining two sets to regain his Wimbledon crown.
Alcaraz needs one to become the new champion. The fourth set will be a crucial one.
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 Novak Djokovic
Wimbledon LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic
*Carlos Alcaraz 1-6 7-6 6-1 Novak Djokovic
Alcaraz is right in the groove now. He drills a return of serve to the back right corner and goes ahead before rattling a forehand across court to reach 0-30.
Djokovic misses out on a serve and volley to gift Alcaraz with three break points. He misses out on the first one but then takes the set with a passing backhand winner!
What a match. Alcaraz leads by two sets to one.
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