Alcaraz’s ‘dream’ Wimbledon can signal changing of the guard

AFP | London                    

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Carlos Alcaraz believes his “dream” Wimbledon triumph against Novak Djokovic can signal a changing of the guard in men’s tennis. Alcaraz ended Djokovic’s run of four successive Wimbledon titles with an epic 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 victory in a final for the ages on Sunday.

The 20-year-old wore down Djokovic over four hours and 42 minutes of unrelenting drama on Centre Court, clinching his first Wimbledon crown and the second major title of his career.

After two decades of Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal dominating the sport, Alcaraz says his victory could be the start of a new era.

“It’s a dream. I’m 20. I didn’t experience many moments like this. Making history like I did today, it’s the happiest moment of my life,” Alcaraz said. “Beating Novak at his best on this stage, making history, being the guy to beat him after 10 years unbeaten on this court is amazing for me.

“It’s great for the new generation to see me beating him and make them think they are capable of doing it as well. It’s great for me, and the young players as well.” When Djokovic won his first major at the Australian Open in 2008, Alcaraz was still three months shy of his fifth birthday.

But with Federer retired and Nadal close to the end of his glittering career, Alcaraz has emerged as Djokovic’s biggest challenger. Alcaraz, who won his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open last year, has replaced the Serb at the top of the world rankings and his Wimbledon victory may hasten the emergence of a new generation to replace the “Big Three”.

“Beating Novak, winning Wimbledon is something I dreamed about since I start playing tennis,” Alcaraz said. Djokovic was aiming for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title and could also have matched Margaret Court’s all-time mark of 24 Grand Slam singles crowns.