Carlos Alcaraz is spending his 31st week on the ATP throne, moving closer to Ilie Nastase, Andy Murray and Gustavo Kuerten. The 20-year-old stands 430 points ahead of Novak Djokovic, with a chance to extend the gap at the next week’s Canada Masters in Toronto. Carlos is the season’s best player, winning two Masters 1000 crowns and Wimbledon, his second Major. Alcaraz became world no. 1 for the first time after the last year’s US Open, achieving that at 19 and writing history. The Spaniard lost the ATP throne to Novak Djokovic following this year’s Australian Open, skipping the season’s first Major due to a leg injury. Carlos started his season in Buenos Aires in February, winning the title and reaching the final in Rio de Janeiro. The young gun earned his third Masters 1000 crown in Indian Wells, defeating all rivals in straight sets and starting his second reign on the ATP throne. Carlos could not stay there for long, failing to defend the Miami Masters crown and pushing Novak to the top.
The young gun defended his trophies in Barcelona and Madrid, moving closer to Djokovic and passing him despite an early Rome Masters loss. Alcaraz ended his third world no. 1 reign after the Roland Garros, losing to Djokovic in the semi-final after feeling cramps in his entire body from the start of the third set. Recovering and starting another chase with a 23-time Major winner, Carlos conquered an ATP 500 crown at Queen’s, lifting his first trophy on grass and moving ahead of Novak. Two rivals set another ATP throne battle at The All England Club, and Alcaraz was ready to fix his mistakes from Paris. Carried by a boost from Queen’s, the Spaniard entered the Wimbledon final and ousted the Serb 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in four hours and 42 minutes for his second Major crown and more weeks as world no. 1. Two great rivals played a memorable final, giving their best in windy conditions and battling hard until the end.
Carlos Alcaraz is enjoying his 31st week as world no. 1.
Alcaraz won one point more than Djokovic, standing as the more determined player on the court and firing 66 winners and 45 unforced errors. There were 34 break points, and they grabbed five breaks each to remain neck and neck. Novak claimed the opener in 34 minutes and created a set point in the second set’s tie break. His backhand let him down in the worst moment, missing a chance to open a massive advantage and exert enormous pressure on his opponent. Carlos stole the breaker and ended Novak’s streak of 15 consecutive tie breaks won at Majors. The Serb sprayed almost 20 unforced errors in the third set and got broken three times, the number of service games he conceded before the final! The fifth game secured a place in Wimbledon history with 32 points and 27 minutes of a grueling battle! The game saw 13 deuces, Novak’s numerous game points and seven break chances for the young gun!
Carlos seized the last when Novak netted a forehand to earn an enormous boost and spend the rival’s energy. The Spaniard closed the set with another break in game seven for a massive advantage ahead of set number four. Novak took an extended break and made a fresh start. The defending champion saved two break points in the second game to end his downfall. The Serb grabbed breaks in games five and nine to wrap up the set 6-3 and force a decider, ready to give his everything while chasing his eighth Wimbledon crown. They missed a break point in games one and two of the final set before Carlos delivered a break in game three after an incredible point and a backhand down the line winner. Alcaraz served for the title at 5-4 and held at 30 after forcing Djokovic’s error to celebrate his career-best moment and the second Major crown at 20. Novak and Carlos will compete together in Cincinnati in two weeks, hoping to set another thrilling final and battle for the trophy.