Novak Djokovic is known for delivering beatdowns in major finals, not suffering them.
However, Sunday was different. Carlos Alcaraz’s lights-out performance led to a commanding 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 victory over Djokovic.
Djokovic’s flat performance, especially in the first two sets, was notable. Despite showing peak form in previous rounds, the physical strain of playing grand-slam tennis so soon after knee surgery caught up with him. The intangibles of tennis came into play, with Alcaraz’s dominance snuffing out Djokovic’s game, unlike Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-final.
The contest would have ended in just over two hours, but Alcaraz’s nerves showed when he led 5-4, 40-0 in the third set. Djokovic capitalized briefly, taking seven consecutive points. However, Alcaraz’s composure and baseline dominance helped him regain control. A flawless tie-break, highlighted by a masterful drop-shot, sealed the victory for Alcaraz.
This stunning display from the 21-year-old Spaniard makes him the first man since Roger Federer to win his first four major finals in the Open era. Djokovic, reflecting on a campaign that nearly defied the odds, now has two weeks to prepare for the Olympic Games in Paris.
