“I have to be very proud,” the Serb replies when asked about being in the final only 37 days after knee surgery. “Obviously there’s disappointment right now but when I reflect on the last four to five weeks, what I’ve been through [with the knee surgery], I’m very satisfied. I try to remind myself sometimes of how surreal it is being here; being really blessed to fight for the trophy. Every time I step on the court it feels like the first time. I’m a child living a childhood dream.
“To my wife I love you. To my wonderful children thank you for bringing the smile to my face every single day. I’m so thankful to be a father of two little angels who love tennis. I don’t know if I have the nerves to have a coaching career with my son; but if you really wish to pursue it I’ll be there for you.
“Enough talking. I just want to say thanks to my whole team, for sticking with me through good and bad times. I love you guys, thanks for being in my corner, let’s keep this going.”
“He was definitely very hot today,” says Djokovic. “Obviously not the result I wanted, especially in the first couple of sets. I wasn’t up to par but credit to Carlos. I tried to push him and save the three match points to extend the match a little bit longer. But he was the deserved winner today.”
Trophy time. And here comes the Princess of Wales for the presentation. First Djokovic trudges up to collect his runners-up plate; and now here comes Carlitos, who raises the trophy, and has achieved something Nadal never did by winning successive Wimbledon titles.
So Alcaraz retains his Wimbledon title. At 21, this superstar is the youngest man to win Wimbledon and Roland Garros in the same year and the youngest back-to-back men’s singles champion at Wimbledon since Boris Becker in 1986. And in doing so he’s dismissed Djokovic’s latest attempt to rewrite the history books – and is well on his way to becoming a great of the game himself. That’s four grand slam finals out of four won now. How lucky are we. Federer is long departed, Nadal and Murray are nearly departed, Djokovic may feel as if he wants to depart after today … but now we have this superstar.
Alcaraz beats Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 to win Wimbledon!
A serve-volley from Djokovic and Alcaraz scoops long. 5-4 Alcaraz … if Alcaraz wins the next two points on serve he will be the Wimbledon champion once more. But that is by no means guaranteed given the events of the past 20 minutes. Alcaraz shows immense nerve to conjure up one of his best drop shots of the day. And here are two more championship points. Again he can’t find a first serve. But this time Djokovic’s backhand batters the net! Alcaraz is the Wimbledon champion once more! He absolutely outclassed Djokovic, who has a warm embrace and some warm words for the Spaniard at the net. And then, of course, Alcaraz wants to celebrate with his family. He’s trying to find his way up to the box and, for the first time today, takes a wrong turn. But then he’s up there. Wonderful scenes. And a wonderful champion.
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after beating Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon 2024 men’s singles final.
Carlos Alcaraz soaks up the applause after winning Championship point. Photograph: Aaron Chown/PA
Carlos Alcaraz consoles Novak Djokovic after winning the Wimbledon 2024 men’s singles final.
Vintage Djokovic as he runs left and right, doing the splits in the process, and he’s the elastic man of old. But Alcaraz prevails and holds his arm aloft. So it’s 4-3 Alcaraz on serve … and then 5-3 as Djokovic hesitates coming forward and whacks wide!
Alcaraz chops back the serve, then rediscovers his range on his forehand, and strikes the winner for 3-1. The first mini-break. Djokovic wins the next point on his serve … and Alcaraz thinks he’s found the line with his backhand, he’s celebrating … but it was 0.000001mm wide! Alcaraz has no challenges left, and they switch ends at 3-3 …
Hawk-Eye confirms Alcaraz’s effort just whistled wide and Djokovic takes the first point of the breaker. Alcaraz needs to steady himself here – that should really have been a mini-break – instead he’s 1-0 down. Alcaraz does indeed regather for 2-1 – and this time it’s Djokovic with a loose miss …
Third set: Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 6-6 Djokovic
“Hi Katy,” emails Simon McMahon. “Just seen Agassi watching on. For some reason tennis, and particularly Wimbledon, makes me come over all nostalgic. No doubt since I grew up watching Borg and McEnroe, then Becker, Edberg, Sampras, Agassi and then onto Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and of course Andy Murray. Plus Navratilova, Evert, Graf, Seles, Williams. Great names all, and now we have a new star in Alcaraz. Long live tennis, long live Wimbledon.” Me too Simon, me too; and suddenly Alcaraz is stirring memories of Edberg as he shows incredible hands to dig out a low volley for 40-0. Alcaraz wins the next point and we’ve got ourselves a tie-break!
Third set: Alcaraz* 6-2, 6-2, 5-6 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
“Nole, Nole, Nole, Nole,” the crowd are chanting. No hint of a boo here; they love him right now. And they’re cheering even more when he holds to 15. They don’t want this to end.
Novak Djokovic reacts to the crowd during the Wimbledon 2024 men’s singles final against Carlos Alcaraz. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/EPA
Djokovic breaks: Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 5-5 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Djokovic isn’t messing around at the changeover either; he’s off his chair early and looks as if he just wants to get this over with. “This is the official changing of the guard,” announces Nick Kyrgios. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, when Djokovic, all at sea, sends a routine volley into the net. So it’s three championship points. Alcaraz misses his first serve … a let is called on his second … and he then double faults! So after the most superhuman of performances today, Alcaraz shows he is slightly human after all.
Another second serve … this one his lands … but his feet are slow and heavy and he can’t get Djokovic’s return back! A first-serve let – followed by another – and the tension is building. He makes the second serve, winds up for the drive volley, someone screams in the crowd … and Alcaraz skews wide! What drama. And a wild forehand makes it Djokovic’s advantage! Alcaraz smacks into the net and, from three championship points down, Djokovic has won five straight points – or rather Alcaraz has donated them to him – and Djokovic has his first break! That’s what nerves will do to you.
Novak Djokovic saves three Championship points and breaks back to make it 5-5 🤯#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/eroR8EEkdb
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2024
Updated at 16.24 BST
16.17 BST
Alcaraz breaks: Alcaraz* 6-2, 6-2, 5-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
An airborne Alcaraz wallops away a 106mph forehand winner for 0-15. And then a thunderous drive-volley for 0-40. Wow. Ball-striking to take the breath away. Three break points – which are nearly championship points. Normally Djokovic would be bounce, bounce, bounce, bouncing the ball to give him some time to regroup. But he’s rattled. He wins the first break point but Alcaraz’s exuberance is far too much for Djokovic to handle on the second, as his backhand cross-court winner secures the break!
Third set: Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 4-4 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
A one-two punch straight out of the tennis textbook from Alcaraz gets him to 40-0. Djokovic puts away a simple smash for 40-15. And Alcaraz smacks down his fifth ace for the game. Despite Djokovic’s new-found fight, Alcaraz is edging closer to the finish line, and Djokovic must hold in the next game otherwise Alcaraz will be serving for the title.
This is why it’s much tougher for great players to reliably win Slams on the women’s side than the men’s.
Had Serena had this slow a start, it’s already over, like the 6-2, 6-2 2019 #Wimbledon final.
Djokovic gets so much more time, rope, and slack to work with to get in gear.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) July 14, 2024
Updated at 16.14 BST
16.10 BST
Third set: Alcaraz* 6-2, 6-2, 3-4 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic rattles through to love. He’s the better player right now. We’ve finally got a match on our hands. But can he actually break the Alcaraz serve?
insane stat in 108 completed ✔️ matches Djoker has broken serv in every one ☝️ once vs Birdman in a retirement in 2nd set didn’t break serv,
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) July 14, 2024
Updated at 16.13 BST
16.07 BST
Novak Djokovic
Points won at net today today vs Alcaraz: 16 of 35 (46%)
Coming into the final: 143 of 184 (78%)#getty #wimbledon pic.twitter.com/V9FsKqEw3i
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) July 14, 2024
Updated at 16.07 BST
16.07 BST
Third set: Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 3-3 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Digging into the history books, Djokovic did come from two sets to love down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the 2021 French Open final. But this feels different – Alcaraz has proved himself on the biggest stage in three slam finals before, winning the lot – while Tsitsipas still hasn’t won a slam. At 15-all, the point is on Djokovic’s racket after some strong play – but he nets the volley. 30-15, 40-15, then an unsuccessful Hawk-Eye appeal from Alcaraz and it’s 40-30. Then the real Novak Djokovic well and truly stands up, pushing, pushing, pushing Alcaraz with some blistering attack, and it’s deuce.
Alcaraz drop shots, then lobs – I wonder if it’s going wide, but Djokovic doesn’t take any chances – but he can’t direct the ball back into play. Advantage Alcaraz. Deuce. The crowd is cranking up the noise; they feel like Alcaraz may have a match on his hands now. And Djokovic produces the pass to bring up break point! The crowd erupt. Alcaraz aims an ace down the middle. Deuce. Advantage Alcaraz. Another Djokovic pass! Now Djokovic is feeling the love from the crowd, they’re willing him on. But Alcaraz extinguishes Djokovic’s hopes with the next two points.
Carlos Alcaraz stretches for a backhand. Photograph: Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP
Updated at 16.15 BST
15.55 BST
Third set: Alcaraz* 6-2, 6-2, 2-3 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
A much-needed no-nonsense hold to love from Djokovic, as he gets three games on the board for the first time in a set today. Not a sentence I thought I’d type as late as set three. That’ll have felt good after that tortuous 10-minute game at 1-1.
Novak Djokovic plays a backhand over the net as he attempts to get back into the match. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters
Updated at 16.04 BST
15.51 BST
Third set: Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 2-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
With Alcaraz 30-0 up, Djokovic decides it’s time for a change of racket. It doesn’t win him the next point though, as Alcaraz shows the older man that he’s now the best mover in the game. “A whiff of Ken Rosewall here; Novak being almost embarrassed by a younger man; the game is well and truly up,” emails Nick Gibson. And with Alcaraz at 40-0, he feints by unwinding his racket … and then pulling off the cutest of drop shots.
Updated at 15.51 BST
15.48 BST
“Although Alvaraz is overpowering his opponent with his athleticism and superb all-round play, Novak is still reminding us of his talent with some blistering shots worthy of such a champion,” writes Colum Fordham. “But it’s looking like an unequal context with Djokovic struggling with his knee. But you never know with the steely Serb. For the very first time, I almost feel sorry for him. Alcaraz’s drop shots are a joy to behold.”
Updated at 15.48 BST
15.48 BST
Third set: Alcaraz* 6-2, 6-2, 1-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Gasps and applause on the opening point as Alcaraz, on the run, flies over the net in the tramlines and curves back into court for the winner. But it’s not just the shots that Alcaraz pulls off, it’s the smile with which he does it. It’s all just so fun. Not fun for Djokovic though – 0-15, 0-30, 30-40 – the first break point of this third set. Djokovic survives. A strong approach to the net from Djokovic at deuce … but still Alcaraz picks him off with a cross-court forehand winner! Advantage Alcaraz, a second break point. This time Djokovic does prove impenetrable at the net. And the camera pans to Tom Cruise in the crowd, as Djokovic attempts to pull off, erm, mission impossible. A third break point comes and goes. And now the net cord is on Alcaraz’s side, to set up a fourth break point. Djokovic aces. This is a game to rival the opening game of the match – but this one has a different outcome as Djokovic holds. Cue the biggest outpouring of emotion from him in this final so far. Maybe that’ll stir him into action.
A pivotal hold for Novak Djokovic, and look at what it means 💪#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/i5dpJADxHP
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2024
Updated at 15.52 BST
15.37 BST
Third set: Alcaraz 6-2, 6-2, 1-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
A green shoot for Djokovic on the grass where he’s reigned seven times before, as he holds to 15. Which becomes more than a shoot when he advances to 0-30 on Alcaraz’s serve. Alcaraz ups the ante with a smart serve into the body and forehand winner. Djokovic should really prevail on the fourth point – a punchier volley would have clinched it – instead Alcaraz accelerates forward and comes up with the pass! 30-all, 40-30, with another fearhand down the line. Alcaraz is out-Djokovic-ing Djokovic here, adeptly turning defence into attack. Djokovic drags himself to deuce but Alcaraz holds from there.
15.31 BST
One set from glory ✨
Carlos Alcaraz takes the second set 6-2 💪#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/6JaGw7ojWO
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 14, 2024
Updated at 15.31 BST
15.31 BST
14 minute first game, 61 mins later it’s 6-2, 6-2 Alcaraz. Outstanding performance so far, esp on serve
— Simon Cambers (@scambers73) July 14, 2024
Updated at 15.31 BST
15.30 BST
Let’s beat the traffic…and acknowledge Djokovic now. In this, his 37th (!) Major final, at age 37 (!), he was/is a match from his 25th (!) Major….At some point, detachment will do its thing, and everyone will appreciate the absurdity of it all #Wimbledon
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) July 14, 2024
Updated at 15.30 BST
15.29 BST
Alcaraz wins second set 6-2
A 108mph second serve right into the corner takes Alcaraz to 30-15. Djokovic steadies himself with a forehand smash. But he can’t make any further inroads and is left staring at the grass and the possibility of an emphatic defeat when he can’t return Alcaraz’s stinging and snarling serve. After one hour and 17 minutes, Djokovic has been totally disarmed. He’s come back from two sets to love down eight times in his career. But against Alcaraz in this form? I can’t see it. The defending champion is locked in and is a set away from a second successive Wimbledon title.
Another double fault to lose a service game from #Djokovic. Recency bias an issue but I can’t recall ever seeing him do that twice in a final.
Rout alert#getty #wimbledon #final pic.twitter.com/U3dxBifFS3
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) July 14, 2024
Alcaraz breaks: Alcaraz* 6-2, 5-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Quite ridiculous court coverage from Alcaraz at 30-0, as he sprints and then slides forward to Djokovic’s angled volley as if he’s on the red clay at Roland Garros, where he won of course only five weeks ago. A stumped Djokovic makes the error. It’s quickly 30-all. And gasps from the crowd as Djokovic inexplicably nets the volley! 30-40, break point. And Djokovic does what Djokovic hardly ever does in the big moments, and double faults! The seven-times champion walks sadly to his chair. Alcaraz has played well, no doubt about that, but this is unexpectedly flat and error-strewn from Djokovic. Alcaraz will serve for a two sets to love lead!
Novak Djokovic scurries to make a return as Carlos Alcaraz dinks a shot over the net. Photograph: Hannah McKay/Reuters
Second set: Alcaraz 6-2, 4-2 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
But whatever you can do Novak … Alcaraz reminds Djokovic who’s boss with a love hold of his own. Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero has plenty to say to his charge between games; not that I caught any of it. The way this is going Djokovic is turning into such an underdog that he may even get the Centre Court crowd on his side …
Second set: Alcaraz* 6-2, 3-2 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic goes for all-out attack, charging forward at every opportunity. He must think it’s the only hope he’s got. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0, game, as the match ticks beyond the hour-mark.
One hour mark, and the man of the hour has been abundantly clear#wimbledon #final #getty pic.twitter.com/fehbtaprgg
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) July 14, 2024
Updated at 15.17 BST
15.13 BST
Second set: Alcaraz 6-2, 3-1 Djokovic* (*denotes next server)
Alcaraz’s power >>>>>>>>> Djokovic’s. 15-0, 30-0, 40-0. Djokovic strides forward to smack away a short ball for 40-15 – maybe that’ll help him shake off a bit of frustration – but then the most deceptive of drop shots – just as it looked as if Alcaraz was going to hit through his backhand – flummoxes Djokovic! That’s going to make the highlights reel.
15.10 BST
An email from the Guardian’s very own Philip Cornwall. “I am sitting in a Berlin (OK, Potsdam) hotel room, recovering from an overnight bus ride from Zurich after my flight to Munich on Friday was cancelled by lightning, leading to a scramble via Paris and trains to Switzerland. Two German channels are showing the cycling, one has triathlon, one American football, and none available to me has the tennis. I am relying on you – and on Alcaraz to get it done in straight sets…”
Second set: Alcaraz* 6-2, 2-1 Djokovic (*denotes next server)
Djokovic finds himself on the ropes again at 30-all, but peels himself off, first when Alcaraz goes wide and then when Djokovic dispatches a drop shot. It’s the first time Djokovic has held serve from 0-15 down. Not really something to be too proud of, but he’ll cling on to any little hope he has right now..
