Alcaraz plotting golden path to greatness

LONDON : There was a moment of euphoria after Carlos Alcaraz finished off Novak Djokovic to retain his Wimbledon title on Sunday, the usual pumped fists and group hugs with his entourage in the players' box.

But an hour or so later the Spaniard was already back down on planet earth, insisting his journey is only just beginning.

"I've seen and I've heard all the statistics that I am the youngest to win at Roland Garros and Wimbledon the same year," the 21-year-old told reporters after his 6-2 6-2 7-6(4) demolition of 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic.

"I honestly try not to think about it too much. Obviously it's a really great start of my career but I have to keep going. I have to keep building my path.

"At the end of my career, I want to sit at the same table as the big guys. That's my main goal. That's my dream. It doesn't matter if I already won four Grand Slams at the age of 21."

Alcaraz is indeed the youngest player to complete the French Open-Wimbledon double in the same year during the professional era and emulated Roger Federer in winning his first four Grand Slam finals, although the Swiss triumphed in his first seven.

On Sunday he also matched Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker and Mats Wilander in claiming four Grand Slam titles before turning 22 and is trending well ahead of Djokovic, Federer and compatriot Rafa Nadal in his rate of accumulation of majors.

Djokovic had won only one before celebrating his 22nd birthday, Nadal three and Federer one. That trio won 24, 22 and 20 majors respectively in an unprecedented golden era for men's tennis.

Alcaraz's four Grand Slam titles, the 2022 U.S Open, last year's Wimbledon when he also beat Djokovic, and this year's French Open-Wimbledon double, required just 69 matches at the