Carlos Alcaraz triumph at Wimbledon 'unbelievable', Spanish star 'a complete player at 20' - Mats Wilander
:focal(178x132:180x130)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/04/03/3673848-74785904-310-310.jpg)
Updated 16/07/2023 at 20:22 GMT
In just his 18th professional match on a grass court, Carlos Alcaraz was able to overcome the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Novak Djokovic to triumph at Wimbledon in a match that the fans inside Centre Court will never forget. The Spaniard produced a magnificent performance to clinch glory at SW19, and it was a match that Eurosport's Mats Wilander described as "absolutely incredible".
'Could be one of the most important players we have ever had' - Wilander on Alcaraz
Eurosport experts Mats Wilander and Laura Robson have given their reactions to Carlos Alcaraz winning Wimbledon after beating Novak Djokovic in an instant classic.
The world No. 1 and top seed triumphed 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 6-4 to become the third-youngest men's player to be victorious at the All England Club in the Open era in what was only his fourth professional grass-court tournament.
For Djokovic, it was a crushing disappointment as his pursuit of an eighth Wimbledon crown and 24th Grand Slam singles title came to a halt on Centre Court, but the 20-year-old Spaniard was simply too good in an unforgettable encounter.
Wilander, who won four Grand Slam titles before he was 21, was blown away by what Alcaraz was able to produce under immense pressure against the seven-time champion at SW19. He also commented on Djokovic striking the net post with his racquet late on in the match.
"That match was absolutely incredible," Wilander said after the showdown. "To have played on grass as little as he has and to be up against Novak is unbelievable, I'm nearly speechless.
"What a great champion we have in Carlos Alcaraz, and everything he does on a tennis court is so admirable to me.
"It is harder and harder to win it, and it is more physical, but Alcaraz is such a physical specimen. He is not going anywhere because he is so good and so focused.
"He could win the next two Slams and that is what is so cool about him. I was not sure if grass was going to be good for him, but it is.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/07/16/3745524-76200408-2560-1440.jpg)
Carlos Alcaraz
Image credit: Getty Images
"Once you love this tournament and love the grass, you are going to be coming back and feeling like you can win it every year.
"I think we are seeing a multiple Wimbledon champion before our eyes right now. Alcaraz is a complete player at 20 years old.
"It is going to be incredible what he achieves because this was maybe the best Wimbledon match in terms of its level that I have ever seen."
Turning his attention to Djokovic, Wilander was confident that the seven-time Wimbledon champion would "respond" but also suggested that he would wish he hadn't struck the net post with his racquet late on in the match.
"For Novak, he is going to learn from this loss and the lessons, and from hitting the net post, because I'm sure that is going to be a big regret. Great champions respond."
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/07/16/3745536-76200648-2560-1440.jpg)
Novak Djokovic hits the net post with his racquet
Image credit: Getty Images
He added: "My take on that situation is that I can completely understand. I'm sure that Novak will sort of regret that he did it maybe.
"But at the same time, I mean, that's nothing compared to losing the match. It just goes to show how much he's into it because we've seen Novak Djokovic win so much over the years and we haven't seen him lose that many finals, especially not in five sets.
"So the true champion comes out in him there.
"I wouldn't suggest doing that to the net post, but honestly, he most probably hurt his wrist a little bit because he kept shaking his wrist for the next four shots, that he had to hit when Carlos Alcaraz served.
"Maybe there's a lesson to be learned."
Robson, meanwhile, was particularly impressed with the composure that the Spaniard demonstrated as he closed out victory in seemingly nerveless fashion with Djokovic desperate to try to apply the pressure.
She added: "We all had our doubts, but for Alcaraz to close it out in the fifth and serve as he did in the last game was something special indeed."
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/geo/country/flag/large/2203.png)
/images.sports.gracenote.com/images/lib/basic/geo/country/flag/large/6944.png)