On Sunday, Alcaraz defeated Djokovic in a match for the ages, ending his streak of four straight Wimbledon victories with a thrilling triumph of 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.
AS IT HAPPENED: WIMBLEDON FINAL
The 20-year-old won his maiden Wimbledon championship and second major championship of his career after exhausting Djokovic over four hours and 42 minutes of nonstop drama on Centre Court.
Alcaraz believes his victory may mark the beginning of a new era in tennis after Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal dominated the sport for two decades.
“It’s a dream. I’m 20. I didn’t experience many moments like this. Making history like I did today, it’s the happiest moment of my life,” Alcaraz said.
“Beating Novak at his best on this stage, making history, being the guy to beat him after 10 years unbeaten on this court is amazing for me.
“It’s great for the new generation to see me beating him and make them think they are capable of doing it as well. It’s great for me, and the young players as well.”
When Djokovic won his first major at the Australian Open in 2008, Alcaraz was still three months shy of his fifth birthday.
But with Federer retired and Nadal close to the end of his glittering career, Alcaraz has emerged as Djokovic’s biggest challenger.
Alcaraz, who won his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open last year, has replaced the Serb at the top of the world rankings and his Wimbledon victory may hasten the emergence of a new generation to replace the “Big Three”.
“Beating Novak, winning Wimbledon is something I dreamed about since I start playing tennis,” Alcaraz said.
Djokovic was aiming for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title and could also have matched Margaret Court’s all-time mark of 24 Grand Slam singles crowns.
Instead, the 36-year-old leaves Wimbledon licking his wounds after beating over-powered by the relentless Alcaraz.
In an ominous warning to Djokovic, Alcaraz said his All England Club win can provide a foundation for more success when they meet again.
“Probably before today I didn’t think I was ready to beat Djokovic in five sets in an epic match like this, to stay good physically and mentally against a legend like Djokovic,” Alcaraz.
“I will remember this moment in other Grand Slams and think I am ready to play five sets against him. It probably changed my mind a bit.”
Alcaraz’s previous clash with Djokovic had ended in defeat in the French Open semi-finals in June, when the Spaniard fell apart after suffering stress-related cramping.
Learning from that painful loss, he held his nerve superbly this time.
“I am such a different player since the French Open. I grew up a lot. I took lessons from that match. I prepared a little bit differently mentally,” he said.
“I handled the nerves better than I did at the French Open. I fought until the last ball. It was a long match. The mental part allowed me to stay there for five sets.
“If I had lost the second set probably I couldn’t have got the trophy, I would probably have lost in straight sets. That gave me a lot of motivation.”
Djokovic’s frustration at Alcaraz’s stubborn resistance boiled over when he smashed his racquet against the net post after being broken in the final set.
But the Serb had no complaints about the defeat and even labelled Alcaraz a combination of himself, Federer and Nadal.
Asked about that glowing tribute, the ultra-confident Alcaraz said: “It’s crazy that Novak say that. But I consider myself a really complete player.
“I have the shots, the strength physically, the strength mentally.
“Probably he’s right. But I don’t want to think about it. I’m the full Carlos Alcaraz, let’s say.”
After the monarch witnessed his native Spain’s compatriot end Novak Djokovic’s reign as Wimbledon champion in a thrilling final on Sunday, Alcaraz urged King Felipe VI to attend more of his matches.
“It’s special to play in front of royalty. King Felipe, I am really proud that you are here supporting me,” Alcaraz said during his post-match interview on Centre Court.
“When I played in front of you twice, twice I won, I hope you are coming more! It is really special and I have to thank you for coming and supporting.”
As well as the King’s support, Alcaraz, who won the US Open last year, enjoyed huge backing from the majority of the Centre Court crowd, who roared him to victory in the final set.
Now he is a champion, the world number one will be able to visit Wimbledon whenever he wants — as long as he remembers his membership card.
“It’s such an iconic club. I know Roger Federer had trouble getting in without the card! I have to bring the card,” he said.
“It’s really special to be a member of this amazing club. I will come for sure.”
The previous Wimbledon men’s singles champion not named Djokovic, Federer or Andy Murray was Alcaraz’s fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal in 2010.
Nadal took to Twitter to salute Alcaraz, praising him for bringing “immense joy” to Spanish tennis and telling him to “enjoy the moment”.
Alcaraz was raised on clay courts and has played just four tournaments on grass, but he already has Wimbledon and Queen Club’s titles to his credit after a year to remember on the lawns of London.
“I fall in love with grass right now. It’s amazing,” he said.
“I didn’t expect to play in this level in a really short period. I have played just four tournaments on grass.
“It’s a dream come true. I learn really fast and I am really proud.”
(With agencies inputs)
