The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: March 27, 2025
Today: March 27, 2025

Tennis-Alcaraz plotting golden path to greatness

Tennis: Wimbledon
July 14, 2024
Martyn Herman - Reuters

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - There was a moment of euphoria after Carlos Alcaraz finished off Novak Djokovic to retain his Wimbledon title on Sunday, the usual pumped fists and group hugs with his entourage in the players' box.

But an hour or so later the Spaniard was already back down on planet earth, insisting his journey is only just beginning.

"I've seen and I've heard all the statistics that I am the youngest to win at Roland Garros and Wimbledon the same year," the 21-year-old told reporters after his 6-2 6-2 7-6(4) demolition of 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic.

"I honestly try not to think about it too much. Obviously it's a really great start of my career but I have to keep going. I have to keep building my path.

"At the end of my career, I want to sit at the same table as the big guys. That's my main goal. That's my dream. It doesn't matter if I already won four Grand Slams at the age of 21."

Alcaraz is indeed the youngest player to complete the French Open-Wimbledon double in the same year during the professional era and emulated Roger Federer in winning his first four Grand Slam finals, although the Swiss triumphed in his first seven.

On Sunday he also matched Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker and Mats Wilander in claiming four Grand Slam titles before turning 22 and is trending well ahead of Djokovic, Federer and compatriot Rafa Nadal in his rate of accumulation of majors.

Djokovic had won only one before celebrating his 22nd birthday, Nadal three and Federer one. That trio won 24, 22 and 20 majors respectively in an unprecedented golden era for men's tennis.

Alcaraz's four Grand Slam titles, the 2022 U.S Open, last year's Wimbledon when he also beat Djokovic, and this year's French Open-Wimbledon double, required just 69 matches at the slams.

Federer needed 79 matches, Nadal 81 and Djokovic 134 before notching their fourth Grand Slam titles.

With Italy's world number one Jannik Sinner, winner of this year's Australian Open, vying with Alcaraz for top-dog status, the figureheads of a new generation are now established.

Whether or not either can go on to challenge the numbers of the "Big Three" is another question entirely.

"I think being there with Jannik, in the top of the ranking, winning the Grand Slams, I think it is good for tennis to have new faces winning the big things and fighting for the big tournaments," Alcaraz said.

"I'm really glad to have him there. As I said many times, we have a really good rivalry, as young players that are coming up, fighting for these things as well. I think it's great for the sport, for tennis and I think for the players, as well."

While there are pitfalls ahead, 2022 Wimbledon runner-up and BBC pundit Nick Kyrgios said Sunday's one-sided final felt like the true changing of the guard.

"Alcaraz will carry our sport a long way. He will be the face of this sport alongside Sinner," the Australian said.

"The biggest enemy he'll have is his body. How healthy can he stay? I think he'll have upwards of 15 slams for sure."

(Reporting by Martyn Herman, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

Related Articles

Carlos Alcaraz says he doesnโ€™t agree with the legal action launched by Novak Djokovicโ€™s playersโ€™ association Carlos Alcaraz doesn't support the lawsuit from the tennis players' group Novak Djokovic founded LeBron James says heโ€™s โ€˜happy to have helpedโ€™ Mirra Andreeva in Indian Wells win Coco Gauff heads home to the Miami Open after her 21st birthday and a bit of a rough patch
Share This

Popular

Crime|Entertainment|Fashion and Beauty|US

Joey Jackson on Luigi Mangioneโ€™s case and potential fashion influence

Joey Jackson on Luigi Mangioneโ€™s case and potential fashion influence
Celebrity|Entertainment

Moment of kindness between โ€˜Survivorโ€™ contestants brings host Jeff Probst to tears

Moment of kindness between โ€˜Survivorโ€™ contestants brings host Jeff Probst to tears
Arts|Celebrity|Crime|Entertainment|Europe

Plaintiffs' lawyers call actor Gรฉrard Depardieu a sexual predator and a misogynist as trial closes

Plaintiffs' lawyers call actor Gรฉrard Depardieu a sexual predator and a misogynist as trial closes
Asia|Business|Economy|Entertainment|Political|Travel

Thai cabinet approves draft law for casinos, with limits for local gamblers 

Thai cabinet approves draft law for casinos, with limits for local gamblers 

Entertainment

Celebrity|Entertainment

Jimmy Fallon delivers comically long intro for Mumford & Sons after being roasted by bandโ€™s frontman

Jimmy Fallon delivers comically long intro for Mumford & Sons after being roasted by bandโ€™s frontman
Celebrity|Entertainment

X-cuse me!? Marvel tees up major โ€˜X-Menโ€™ and โ€˜Avengersโ€™ returns for โ€˜Doomsdayโ€™

X-cuse me!? Marvel tees up major โ€˜X-Menโ€™ and โ€˜Avengersโ€™ returns for โ€˜Doomsdayโ€™
Celebrity|Entertainment

'Avengers: Doomsday' cast includes Hemsworth's Thor, Mackie's Cap, Fantastic Four and original X-Men

'Avengers: Doomsday' cast includes Hemsworth's Thor, Mackie's Cap, Fantastic Four and original X-Men
Crime|Entertainment|US

Family sues Disney after employee allegedly records upskirt video of teen in 2023

Family sues Disney after employee allegedly records upskirt video of teen in 2023