Carlos Alcaraz triumphs over the old ghosts of tennis
The new tennis generation is pushing harder into the forefront. The Wimbledon finale, which Carlos Alcaraz dominated against Novak Djokovic, is the best example of this. At the Olympics in Paris, the old champions may make their last appearance.
Carlos Alcaraz bid farewell as Champion at Wimbledon with a fine thread and a little dance. And with the announcement that he aims to reach the spheres of the greatest stars. Novak Djokovic pondered his Olympic chance. With the significant difference in the final, the prestigious Wimbledon tournament, the world's most significant tennis tournament, ended with a clear indication that the time of the Big Three, of whom Djokovic was the last title contender, seems to be definitively coming to an end. Tennis is increasingly belonging to the new generation, with Alcaraz as its leader.
"With Roger Federer in retirement and Rafael Nadal on the way to ending his career, Carlos Alcaraz dealt Novak Djokovic another blow on Sunday," wrote the Spanish newspaper "AS": "And thus also to the spirit of the 'Big Three,' who for almost two decades dominated world tennis in a tyrannical manner with the Swiss, the Spaniard, and the Serb." Now, at 21 years and 70 days, Alcaraz has won four Grand Slam titles - and is thus, in terms of titles, ahead of the Big Three.
The upcoming Paris Games, with Djokovic's likely last chance for an Olympic gold medal, Rafael Nadal's probable last appearance, 38 years old, on his favorite court, and Andy Murray's likely last match before his retirement at 37, could make the generational change clear.
Kyrgios speaks of a resurgence
But the Wimbledon final already showed this. "Wow! I love Djokovic, but is this perhaps the first time we can speak of a 'resurgence'?!?!", commented the Australian Wimbledon finalist of 2022 and training partner of Djokovic, Nick Kyrgios, on the uneven duel in London.
For two decades, Djokovic (24 titles), Nadal (22), and the now retired Roger Federer (20) shared the Grand Slam titles among themselves in the majority. In 2024, the winners will be Alcaraz, who secured the Wimbledon triumph just a month after the French Open title, and Jannik Sinner, who won the Australian Open and rose to number one. Djokovic has not won a title this year, not even on the ATP Tour.
The new generation is taking over. "I think it's good for tennis when new faces win the big things and compete for the major tournaments," said Alcaraz.
"I don't know my limits"
At his goal of achieving a similar Grand Slam collection, the 21-year-old left no doubts: "I must continue my way. At the end of my career, I want to sit at the same table as the big boys," said the Spaniard: "I don't know where my limits lie. We'll see if it's 25, 30, 15, or four at the end of my career."
That he announced that he would improve everything in his game and that every year should be better was not just a warning for Djokovic. "With 21 years, a genius of all kinds, he has matured, but he has saved his joy. Now come, whoever can stop him, whoever that may be," wrote "El Mundo". It remains to be seen whether Alcaraz's body will hold up.
And the question will be who, besides Alcaraz, will have a say in the future Grand Slam battles. Is it permanently Sinner? Or Daniil Medvedev? Can Zverev, who has planned to start in Hamburg this week due to his knee injury, secure his first Grand Slam title? What about Holger Rune?
Can Djokovic raise his game again once his knee injury is healed? The age and experience advantage, often spoken of in relation to Djokovic, seemed to be a burden this time in the final. "He played every shot better than me," Djokovic admitted: "He was better in every aspect of the game than me."
For the chance at Olympic gold, one of his last unachieved goals, he will have to raise his game. "We'll see how I feel physically and mentally," Djokovic said: "I need everything I have and more to make it to the Olympics final." Normally adversity fuels him to become stronger.
In Paris, three of the former "Big Four" - Djokovic, Nadal, and Murray - will be reunited. Federer has already retired. For Murray, the Olympics could be one of the last great highlights of Nadal's career. The Spaniard returns this week in Bastad after his first-round loss at the French Open against Zverev with a very special generational encounter ahead. His Olympic trials begin against Leo Borg, son of tennis legend Bjorn Borg.
Roger Federer's retirement and Rafael Nadal's potential forthcoming retirement further solidify Carlos Alcaraz's position as the new leader of the tennis generation. Alcarz's victory over Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon indicates a shift in the sport, showcasing the emergence of younger talents. Despite Djokovic's lack of titles this year, Jannik Sinner's recent Australian Open win and number one ranking suggest continuous change in the tennis scene.
