He started losing 6-1 against a Djokovic who has 23 Grand Slam titles. But Carlos Alcaraz turned it around. He didn’t lie when he said it was going to be the best day of his life. The Spaniard entered the select club of the Wimbledon champions after winning the title for the first time against Novak Djokovic, the seven-time champion (1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1 and 6-4). The Murcian fulfilled his childhood dream: winning the most beautiful Grand Slam of all and against one of the best in history.
Moved and grateful for the standing ovation he received from the public, the 20-year-old from Murcia grabbed the glass that Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales gave him, but not before giving him the corresponding bow. Later, with his usual self-confidence, he took the microphone to assess the victory. Still not believing it too much. “I am proud to make history here against a legend like Djokovic. It’s a dream. And yes, it’s great to win, but even if I had lost I would be very proud of myself, for having made history in this tournament against a legend of our sport”, Alcaraz slipped. “In the end I told myself that I had to raise the level. But it is true that at 20 years old I did not expect to live in this type of situation and I am very proud of myself. Djokovic was already winning when I was born, today I felt as if play with a 26-year-old player and not a 36-year-old,” he added as the crowd cheered and Djokovic smiled.
Asked about the presence of King Felipe, Alcaraz pointed out that “it is very special for me that King Felipe is here giving me his support. I hope that more will come because the two times that I have played with him present I have won, ”he pointed out while the monarch applauded him smiling. “To come back I thought of the people. I want to congratulate Djokovic. He made it very difficult for me, ”explained the Murcian, the third Spaniard to win the tournament after Manolo Santana and Rafa Nadal.
Before going up the stairs to hug King Felipe and extend his hand again to Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, and William, Prince of Wales and their children, Alcaraz answered the Movistar microphones. “I still not believe it. Is incredible. Not only for winning but for the way he faced one of the legends of our sport. It is something we dream of and with which we work and fight every day. Before and during the tournament I always thought that I could beat the best and I proved it, ”he declared.
Then he went to look for his family. The number 1 of the ATP has already been able to overcome in six and a half months what was achieved in a whole 2022 that was already triumphant.
