Did the Carlos Alcaraz win over Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon 2024 final on Sunday signal a “changing of the guard” in men’s tennis?
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DID ALCARAZ WIN OVER DJOKOVIC SIGNAL A ‘CHANGING OF THE GUARD’ IN MEN’S TENNIS?
Was Alcaraz’s 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(4) victory over seven-time champion Djokovic at the All England Club signal a “changing of the guard” in the men’s tennis division?
What makes this feat special was that the 21-year-old Alcaraz did not win this major as a fluke.
Furthermore, Alcaraz won Wimbledon over the same player for the second straight year.
It was also the Spaniard’s second less than two months after Alcaraz won the French Open.
“It’s a great feeling even thinking about being (the) French Open winner and Wimbledon champion the same year (and) that few players just done it before,” the world No. 2 said.
Moreover, former world No.13 Nick Kyrgios said it best when he wrote on social media after the Wimbledon final.
“Love Djokovic. But is this maybe the first time we can say the ‘changing of the guard?'”
Incidentally, Alcaraz’s title win was the second major victory for Spain after the La Roja beat England, 2-1, in the Euro 2024 final also on Sunday.
ALCARAZ BECOMES SIXTH PLAYER TO WIN WIMBLEDON, FRENCH OPEN IN SAME YEAR
Moreover, Alcaraz became the sixth player to win Wimbledon and the French Open in the same year.
The Spaniard joins legends Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg, the recently retired Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Djokovic in that exclusive club.
At 21, Alcaraz already has four majors, the most among active players after Djokovic (24) and Nadal (22).
Furthermore, he has already overtaken Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka – who had three majors each — in the overall list.
“Carlos has cemented his place among the tennis greats with his brilliant performance (in the Wimbledon final),” Laver said on X (formerly Twitter) moments after Sunday’s final.
ALCARAZ, SINNER TO COMPRISE NEW ‘BIG THREE’ SOON?
Interestingly, does the emergence of Alcaraz and reigning world No.1 Jannik Sinner mean a new “Big Three” will emerge in men’s tennis soon?
Sinner won the season-opening Australian Open to supplant Djokovic as No.1 before Alcaraz took the French Open and now, Wimbledon.
For decades, the Big Three of Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal ruled men’s tennis by alternating major titles among them.
It may be safe to say that the trend has changed – at least for 2024.
“Wow (Alcaraz) is one special young talent! I never thought I would see a player as great as Novak (Djokovic), Rafa (Nadal), and Roger (Federer) but there is no doubt in my mind this kid actually might get to 20 as well,” said Rennae Stubbs, former player and current ESPN analyst.
Alcaraz may enjoy this for a few weeks, as he is headed to play for Spain in the Paris Olympics in men’s singles and with Nadal in men’s doubles.
“I really want to keep going. I will try to keep winning and end my career with a lot of them,” the reigning four-time major champion said.
