LONDON (AP) — Carlos Algarz was ready from the get-go this time. A year ago in Wimbledon In the final against Novak Djokovic, Algarz got off to a slow start, dropping the opening set and needing five to claim the title. His first championship at the All England Club.
Sunday’s rematch began with a game that felt monumental: 20 points in nearly 15 minutes, foreshadowing a fascinating back-and-forth contest — and a long one. There were brilliant moments from both. Algaraz, however, was excellent. He will be there for almost the next two hours.
Algaras Learned from 2023 He applied those lessons to 2024, defeating Djokovic 6–2, 6–2, 7–6 (4) for his second consecutive Wimbledon championship and fourth Grand Slam title. And to think: He is still only 21 years old.
“At the end of my career, I want to sit at the same table with the greats,” said the triumphant Alcaraz. French Open Last month and after winning the Wimbledon gold trophy Kate, Princes of Wales, is now the sixth man to win on red clay at Roland Garros and on grass at the All England Club in the same season. “That’s my main goal. That’s my dream right now.”
Algaras went 4-0 in major finals, including the 2022 US Open; Only Roger Federer had a better career start among the men, going 7-0.
“He was better than me in every aspect of the game,” he said 37-year-old DjokovicHaving undergone knee surgery 1 1/2 months ago, he was hoping to equal Federer’s men’s record of eight Wimbledon titles and become the first player in tennis history to win 25 Grand Slams. “On the move, he hit the ball beautifully, worked well. Everything.”
For Algarez, there was a brief blip, a five-point stretch that took him from the brink of victory to near collapse. That happened when he was one point out of the championship while serving at 5-4, 40-love. But he made a double mistake. Then missed a rebound. Then a volley. Then a forearm. and another forearm. Suddenly, it was 5. Suddenly, Algaraz was startled. Suddenly, Djokovic can be trusted.
Suddenly there was intrigue.
But only briefly. Algaraz regrouped and went to a tiebreaker, then closed things out.
Last year, Djokovic recalled, “we went toe-to-toe.”
“This year,” he continued, “it was nothing like that. It was all about him. He was a dominant force on the court and deserved to win.
Carlos Algaraz of Spain plays against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles final at the Wimbledon tennis championships, Sunday, July 14, 2024, in London. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)
Djokovic, wearing gray sleeves around his knees, was at his best on an overcast afternoon on Center Court – and Algaraz no doubt played a big part in the problem.
The first game was very competitive until the third set.
That’s not to say there aren’t hints of excitement in other ways. It’s more that the decision doesn’t really seem controversial.
“The first game was unbelievable. One of the longest first matches I’ve ever played,” Djokovic said. “That set the tone. He came out of the blocks ready to battle and ready to play his best right now, which wasn’t the case last year.
Djokovic double faults to take a 5-1 lead in the first set. He put a volley into the net to fall behind on the break to start the second, then double-faulted to finish it off. Finally, in the third, Djokovic got a little excited, recording his only break of the day as the crowd chanted his two-syllable nickname – “No-le! No-le!” — while others responded with a chorus of, “Let’s go, Carlos! Let’s go!”
However, it’s not all about Djokovic getting the body he’s used to seeing, which makes sense considering serious questions about whether he can compete at Wimbledon.
Against Algaraz, Djokovic occasionally bounced awkwardly between points — as if landing after a serve or stepping barefoot on the warm sand of a beach. Djokovic won just 27 of 53 points as he missed his usual volleys. After a flurry to close out an early 11-stroke exchange, Djokovic sighed and walked to his side seat to grab a purple and green towel to wipe away the sweat. His facial expressions: “Come on, Carlitos, pick someone your own age.”
Algaraz excelled in every way, from the basics to the shots no one else would attempt. Once, he lunged, wrapped his racket around his back and sent the ball over the net, although Djokovic pushed an overhead to earn the point. Algarez raced across the alley for doubles forehand winners. Scored points with drop shots. The smack serves a top speed of 136 mph (219 kph). Collected 14 break points, converted five and faced only three.
What can Algaras not do?
Two days before the final, Djokovic praised Algaraz: “I see a lot of similarities between me and him.”
So true. And remember: Algaras is just getting started.
“I want,” Alcaraz said, “to continue.”
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