NEW KING ON THE BLOCK

The 20-year-old Alcaraz rallies to beat 23-time Slam champ Djokovic in a five-set thriller to win his first Wimbledon crown

- Rutvick Mehta

MUMBAI: July 16, 2023. Mark it as a watershed date in tennis history. Like July 2, 2001.

Then, a 19-year-old Roger Federer a Swiss oozing style with his hair wrapped neatly in a ponytail carved a classy dent on the aura of Pete Sampras to mark the beginning of his legend and the start of an unparalleled era, halting the four-time Wimbledon defending champion going for his fifth.

Now, a 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraza Spanish sensation seldom out of a smile shook the resolute reign of seven-time champion Novak Djokovic to signal a defining moment in a potentially great career and the beginning of another passing of the baton, halting the four-time defending champion going for his fifth.

Then, it was the fourth round. Now, it was the final. Higher the stakes, greater the conquest.

Make no mistake, Alcaraz's 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 triumph over Djokovic on Sunday indeed was. Pick your reasons for it: Alcaraz is the first Wimbledon men's singles champion not named Djokovic, Federer, Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray since 2002. Alcaraz did what no other man has been able to do to Djokovic on Centre Court since 2013. Alcaraz did it in a Slam where Djokovic hadn't lost since 2017 and where he hadn't gone beyond the fourth round.

And so as his signature forehand did not return on match point, Alcaraz slumped on the greens of the oldest tournamen in tennis, stamping his name in a new power shift in men's tennis after winning his first Wimbledon and second major at 20.

"It's a dream come true for me," Alcaraz said on court, talking about "making history in this beautiful tournament".