Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic’s 2023 Wimbledon men’s final was one for the history books.
Alcaraz won in five sets, 1–6, 7-6(6), 6–1, 3–6, 6–4. The four-hour, 42-minute long match resulted in amazing rallies, deuces and a tiebreak before the 20-year-old Spaniard won his first Wimbledon and second Grand Slam title. He handed the 23-time Grand Slam champion his first Centre Court loss since 2013.
The Spaniard couldn’t hold back his emotions after taking down one of the Big Three. He laid down on Centre Court immediately after winning and then followed Wimbledon tradition by climbing to greet his family.
The Spanish sensation has done it 🇪🇸@carlosalcaraz triumphs over Novak Djokovic, 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in an all-time classic#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/sPGLXr2k99
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 16, 2023
Djokovic won his last four Wimbledon appearances, excluding 2020 when the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alcaraz built off of his momentum throughout the match, even though he was blown out in the first set. Djokovic took a commanding lead to start by winning the first five games. Alcaraz held on, winning one game before Djokovic took the first set, 6–1.
Alcaraz changed the narrative in the second set when he won the first two games, but Djokovic didn’t back down. The set ended in a close tiebreak, but Alcaraz captured the set with an 8–6 win.
Alcaraz roars back! 💪
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 16, 2023
The world No.1 takes the second set 7-6(6)#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/Zj5FxBwOfl
In the third set, Djokovic served a game that consisted of 13 deuces and lasted nearly 27 minutes. In comparison, the first set alone took 34 minutes. Alcaraz finally captured the game and grew his momentum in the process. The Spaniard went on to win the final two games to take a 2–1 lead.
13 deuces
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 16, 2023
26 minutes
An epic game sees @carlosalcaraz break to lead 4-1 in the third set
#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/N2G3R1DRlt
Djokovic seemed a bit deflated at the beginning of the fourth set, but he quickly turned it around to win 6–3 to force a fifth and final set.
A break sealed with a kiss 😘#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/pGkUE7IOKQ
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 16, 2023
All Alcaraz needed to do was break Djokovic early on to go up 2–1. From there, he kept a hold on the Serbian to win the final set 6–4.
Alcaraz will remain the world No. 1 after the win. He enters the U.S. Open as the reigning champion.