Carlos Alcaraz: Beating Djokovic to win Wimbledon something I will never forget

Carlos Alcaraz said beating Novak Djokovic in one of the greatest Wimbledon finals was a moment he "will never forget" as the young Spaniard ended the Serb's decade of dominance on Centre Court.

Alcaraz looked to be on his way to victory when he recovered from a nervous start to take a two-sets-to-one lead only for Djokovic to show once again his remarkable powers of resilience.

It was he who appeared in the ascendancy at the start of the fifth set but back came 20-year-old Alcaraz to claim a 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 victory after four hours and 42 minutes, finally landing a meaningful blow for the young guns against the man 16 years his senior.

Alcaraz was not even born when Lleyton Hewitt in 2002 became the last man apart from Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray or Djokovic to win the title here, and he is the third youngest men’s champion after Boris Becker and Bjorn Borg.

It is the second slam of Alcaraz's career to add to his 2022 US Open crown. He beat Casper Ruud on that occasion with Djokovic barred from entering the country due to his Covid-19 vaccination status.

That left question marks over whether the 20-year-old was able to carry the torch for the next generation against Djokovic, but his victory to deny Djokovic a record 24th men's Grand Slam title could signal a seismic shift in men's tennis.

“I did it for myself, not for the tennis generation,” said Alcaraz. “[But] beating Novak at his best, in this stage, making history, being the guy to beat him after 10 years unbeaten on that court, is amazing for me.

“It’s something that I will never forget. It’s great for the new generation, as well, I think, to see me beating him and making them think that they are capable to do it as well.

“It’s the happiest