Alcaraz Dethrones Djokovic In See-Sawing Five-Set Match

Wimbledon has a new champion, and a new hero. To break new ground and end Novak Djokovic's dominance at the All England Club, Carlos Alcaraz had to go to a place no one else had dared to reach, dragging the most successful men's player of all time into a battle that saw this final live up to its hype and will be remembered as one of the greatest ever staged here.

- JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

In overturning history, Alcaraz played with a spirit of infectious belief and carried Centre Court with him. The 20-year-old Spaniard met Djokovic head on, denying the Serbian a fifth Wimbledon consecutive title, refusing to go down against the game's most formidable force and a legend of the sport who had won 104 matches in a row from a set up at the grand slams.

A titanic, 26-minute game midway through the third set captured Alcaraz's stunning resilience and tenacity to believe in the miracle he was trying to accomplish. Already up a break, Alcaraz hunted for another, not once letting Djokovic off the hook. The 36-year-old Djokovic, who had controlled his young opponent magnificently to race to the opening set, was suddenly stressed, rushed, and in danger.

He knew what Alcaraz threatened to do. Djokovic had won 34 matches in a row at Wimbledon. He had not lost on Centre Court in 10 years, since losing to Andy Murray in the 2013 final. But he had also not faced an opponent like Alcaraz, a man who lives every moment and approaches every shot like he has the chance to make the impossible possible. The second-set tiebreak was another turning point: Djokovic had won 15 tiebreaks in a row coming into the final, Alcaraz, who faced the brink then, barely blinked.

Tiebreaks are Djokovic's realm, his palace where he shows his mental fortitude, and a place Alcaraz's peers dare to tread. Alcaraz ended Djokovic's reign with his powerful forehand, his dazzling speed and his wondrous creativity. Even as Djokovic forced a fifth, Alcaraz never once lost sight of what he was fighting for. He roared back, and now Wimbledon will never be the same again.