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In the aftermath of last year’s Wimbledon final, it was tempting to wonder if Novak Djokovic’s defeat to Carlos Alcaraz signalled the start of a change. Bidding for a fifth Wimbledon title in a row, Djokovic was beaten in an epic five-set battle in his first defeat at the Championships since 2017. As he contemplated the end of his dominance at the All England Club, Djokovic was gracious, his praise of the young Alcaraz glowing and genuine. After so many victories, it was a little startling to see such a fierce competitor embracing the rare taste of defeat like an old friend, reflecting an attitude of “win some, lose some” in front of the Centre Court crowd.
