Having secured his legacy as tennis’ best ever participant by successful a document twenty third grand slam at Roland Garros final month, the Serb arrived on the All England Club a modified man.
After years and years of giving the well mannered reply in press conferences and on-court interviews, Djokovic was cheeky, brash and starkly sincere about how he seen himself and his place within the recreation.
The soundbites got here thick and quick because the world quantity two spoke his thoughts.
“I don’t want to sound arrogant, but of course I consider myself the favourite,” he mentioned early within the event.
“I love it,” he replied, when requested concerning the strain of getting a goal on his again. “They want to get a scalp, they want to win, but it ain’t happening.”
Djokovic had good motive to be assured after successful the primary two slams of 2023 and coming into Wimbledon as a four-time defending champion.
He’d additionally spent years proving the following era – and the one after that – weren’t on his degree regardless of passing his thirty sixth birthday.
And as he once more comfortably noticed off the likes of Andrey Rublev and Jannik Sinner, every little thing was falling into place for one more victory lap.
But Djokovic missed one man.
Carlos Alcaraz is as very like Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and different NextGen almost-champs as Djokovic was like Tomas Berdych and David Ferrer.
He might need gained the US Open when Djokovic was banned from coming into America and saved the primary rating as a result of Djokovic didn’t get factors for successful Wimbledon final yr, however there may be nothing fraudulent about Alcaraz’s expertise.
And Djokovic paid the worth for viewing the Spaniard as too inexperienced on grass to problem him this early in his profession.
Like Rafael Nadal did whereas shedding Wimbledon finals to Roger Federer in 2006 and 2007 earlier than breaking by means of in 2008, most anticipated Alcaraz would be taught some onerous classes earlier than lifting the trophy.
Djokovic admitted he was one among them in his runner-up speech, telling Alcaraz: “I thought I’d only have trouble with you on clay and hard court, not grass.”
But there’s a motive Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 2003 French Open champion, has hopes his cost will in the future win “30 grand slams”.
He not solely has each shot within the ebook and unusual energy on the forehand facet, but in addition the temperament and composure to ship within the largest moments.
Djokovic discovered that on Sunday as he tried all his previous tips to disrupt his opponent.
The prolonged ball bouncing earlier than his serve that finally drew a time violation. The argument with the chair umpire. The racket smashing. And after all heavy floor stroke after heavy floor stroke.
Djokovic raised his recreation to a degree that has been ok to beat principally everybody prior to now few years early within the fifth set however Alcaraz survived after which flourished to depart his opponent shocked.
After breaking the Serb within the third recreation he needed to maintain serve 4 extra instances to win the championship and there was barely a glimpse of nerves.
“What quality at the end of the match when you had to serve it out,” Djokovic mentioned to the younger victor.
“You came up with some big plays in the big situation and you absolutely deserve it. Amazing.”
Alcaraz has the scalp, he has the win. It occurred.
Originally revealed as Arrogant Wimbledon act blows up in Novak Djokovic’s face towards Carlos Alcaraz
Source: www.news.com.au
