Set for greatness Alcaraz shifts the paradigm with win that shows all his mental fortitude

As Carlos Alcaraz pulled up at the Wimbledon champions' dinner on Sunday, his mind could not have been further from thinking about everything he had achieved throughout that day.

- “Tumaini Carayol

After demolishing Novak Djokovic in straight sets to defend his title and working through his obligatory post-match duties, from press to anti-doping, Alcaraz prepared for the evening with an eye on Berlin, watching between a TV and a tablet.

In the courtyard of the old War Office buildings in Whitehall, now a Raffles hotel, the Spaniard and his team remained in their car. The final minutes of the Euro 2024 final were ticking down and Mikel Oyarzabal had scored a potential game-winner; he refused to leave until he was certain that the goal would stand. When Alcaraz finally entered the building he was led by a photographer to take pictures before the dinner began. Throughout that period, a phone that was streaming the game live was passed to Alcaraz's team and back to him whenever possible.

"Just before getting out of the car, I saw the goal so I thought it was offside," Alcaraz said, laughing, during the dinner. "I couldn't get out of the car until I made sure it was a goal. So it was a few minutes where the nerves were so high." The day ended exactly as Alcaraz hoped, combining with the national team to mark one of the most significant days in the history of Spanish sport. For Alcaraz, at least, there will surely be many of these days to come.