Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam winner, faced a humbling defeat against Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final, with the young Spaniard winning 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4).
This marks Alcaraz’s second consecutive victory over Djokovic in the prestigious tournament, signaling a shift in the men’s tennis hierarchy.
Djokovic, who has not secured a title in 2024, acknowledged the dominance of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, both under 23, who have collectively won all three of this year’s Grand Slam titles.
“Both of them are the best this year by far, I feel like I’m not at that level,” Djokovic admitted post-match.
The 37-year-old Serbian struggled to match Alcaraz’s powerful serves and deft drop shots, leading to a straightforward win for the younger player.
The defeat underscores Djokovic’s worst season start since 2006. He appeared visibly subdued during the match, a stark contrast to his previous displays of intensity. This subdued demeanor was noted by former runner-up Nick Kyrgios, who remarked on Djokovic’s lack of visible emotion or energy.
Despite the loss, Djokovic remains determined. He underwent knee surgery just a month before Wimbledon and expressed gratitude for reaching the final. Djokovic aims to compete in the upcoming Paris Olympics, seeking the gold medal that has eluded him.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz expressed admiration for Djokovic’s resilience, calling him “superman.” Reflecting on the match, Djokovic acknowledged the gap in performance, stating:
“Today I saw that I was just, as I said, half a step behind him in every sense. That’s the reality that I have to accept at the moment.”
Looking ahead, Djokovic has no plans to retire, emphasizing his desire to continue competing at a high level. His focus now shifts to the Olympics, where he hopes to add the elusive gold medal to his illustrious career.
This latest victory solidifies Alcaraz’s position at the top of men’s tennis, leaving fans eager to see what the future holds for both him and the seasoned Djokovic.
