2023 Wimbledon Final: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Novak Djokovic

[Eureka]

I call Carlos Little Maestro for very cricket-rooted reasons, you see.

Yep. I see. Most apt.

It fascinates me how greatness is acknowledged by those who have themselves achieved it. And long before the acknowledgement of others, I point to the comments by Djokovic and his praise of CA. Coming from one of the all time greats, that was significant.

We can't know the future with any certainty, but I envisage many more duels between CA and ND. It makes me smile that Sachin will most likely be following Carlos' progress. I can at least share that much in common with the great man.

 

[mike danny]

Well, well...

That was still USO 2021.

 

[-snake-]

That was still USO 2021.

And this was the sequel.

 

[Rina]

Specially in the last game when Djokovic tied at 30 all.

Great serving, and last point was awesome going for that last fh with no fear.

Alcaraz is something I have never seen before!

Really? Never seen it before? So not like Nadal, Federer, or Djokovic?

 

[Rina]

I think all here seem to forget that Djokovic is only human. He seemed nervous, just as he was at USO 2021 when he had the chance to complete a year grand slam.
Certainly, Carlito played very well and held his nerves against a 23 Grand Slam winner. What the future holds for matches between these two, nobody knows. Djokovic is always uncomfortable playing new players, and Alcaraz was not 100% at RG, so it might be that Novak figures him out soon. Or not; maybe Alcaraz keeps on figuring out Nole.

I can only say that the older Millennial tennis generation has been pathetic. But, it seems that this Gen Z youngling was raised right to have a fighting spirit. And he did grow up in tennis.

 

[Mike Sams]

I think all here seem to forget that Djokovic is only human. He seemed nervous, just as he was at USO 2021 when he had the chance to complete a year grand slam.
Certainly, Carlito played very well and held his nerves against a 23 Grand Slam winner. What the future holds for matches between these two, nobody knows. Djokovic is always uncomfortable playing new players, and Alcaraz was not 100% at RG, so it might be that Novak figures him out soon. Or not; maybe Alcaraz keeps on figuring out Nole.

I can only say that the older Millennial tennis generation has been pathetic. But, it seems that this Gen Z youngling was raised right to have a fighting spirit. And he did grow up in tennis.

Right when Novak thinks he'll have the answers, Carlos will change the questions.

 

[Mike Sams]

The more you watch some of those Wimbledon rallies between the two, the more it seems like Novak is playing Federer, Nadal and himself in a single match. It's pretty amazing.

 

[optic yellow]

I think all here seem to forget that Djokovic is only human. He seemed nervous, just as he was at USO 2021 when he had the chance to complete a year grand slam.
Certainly, Carlito played very well and held his nerves against a 23 Grand Slam winner. What the future holds for matches between these two, nobody knows. Djokovic is always uncomfortable playing new players, and Alcaraz was not 100% at RG, so it might be that Novak figures him out soon. Or not; maybe Alcaraz keeps on figuring out Nole.

I can only say that the older Millennial tennis generation has been pathetic. But, it seems that this Gen Z youngling was raised right to have a fighting spirit. And he did grow up in tennis.

He's ATG talent it's blindingly obvious, we all just struggle to really appreciate because we've been burned so many times.

 

[Topspin_80]

Really? Never seen it before? So not like Nadal, Federer, or Djokovic?

Rina, you don't have to believe me.

But it wouldn't make any sense that you don't believe your idol Novak.

Alcaraz is one of a kind. That much is very simple, and for everyone to see.

 

[Mike Sams]

He's ATG talent it's blindingly obvious, we all just struggle to really appreciate because we've been burned so many times.

I don't see Alcaraz losing to Djokovic much. Maybe Djoker will get him in some of the Masters or best of 3 tourneys.
But the majors are going to be a monstrous hurdle for Djokovic against a healthy Alcaraz.
There's no part of Alcaraz's game that Djokovic can challenge.
He can't attack the forehand or backhand of Alcaraz.
He can't charge the net.
He can't hit through Alcaraz either.
He can't get into his head nor tire him out.
It's a very different challenge that Djokovic is facing here.
Basically a younger and possibly faster version of himself with an equal arsenal of weapons and court IQ with an equally strong will to win...if not more.

 

[Mike Sams]

Rina, you don't have to believe me.

But it wouldn't make any sense that you don't believe your idol Novak.

Alcaraz is one of a kind. That much is very simple, and for everyone to see.

It's crazy just how rapidly he has risen. Alcaraz figured out grass in just a couple of tournaments which is what has left Novak so completely bewildered.

 

[Topspin_80]

It's crazy just how rapidly he has risen. Alcaraz figured out grass in just a couple of tournaments which is what has left Novak so completely bewildered.

I remember Borg, in his beginning he just had a fh and quick feet, just like Nadal had early in his career.

Then Borg developed a bh, later a serve, and later a volley, it took him a few years to become more complete.

Alcaraz is just 20, and he's already complete, and still improving.

There is no telling how high he can rise.

We are lucky, we had Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, and now Alcaraz!!

 

[Rattie]

 

[Mike Sams]

US Open is going to be really really interesting this year.

 

[Eureka]

I think all here seem to forget that Djokovic is only human. He seemed nervous, just as he was at USO 2021 when he had the chance to complete a year grand slam.
Certainly, Carlito played very well and held his nerves against a 23 Grand Slam winner. What the future holds for matches between these two, nobody knows. Djokovic is always uncomfortable playing new players, and Alcaraz was not 100% at RG, so it might be that Novak figures him out soon. Or not; maybe Alcaraz keeps on figuring out Nole.

I can only say that the older Millennial tennis generation has been pathetic. But, it seems that this Gen Z youngling was raised right to have a fighting spirit. And he did grow up in tennis.

Excellent comment. One thing that ND has shown over the years is his remarkable ability to adapt and change what he needs to, in order to meet the particular challenges he faces. This has been a very fundamental basis for his unmatched achievements. I have every expectation that he will continue to evolve if he wishes to continue to win.

The uncertainties that you mention are, for me, what makes any non-team sport so interesting. How do the best athletes adapt and continue to challenge their nearest rivals? What an exciting prospect ahead. I hope they both stay fit and well to compete again soon.

 

[Rina]

Rina, you don't have to believe me.

But it wouldn't make any sense that you don't believe your idol Novak.

Alcaraz is one of a kind. That much is very simple, and for everyone to see.

Well, ok; however, he did praise Zverev, Tsitsipas, and all the others, and they turned out to be beatable. I am a Djokovic fan, but he is not my idol!
I do not have idols in my life, there is no such thing, and I am too old for such teenage sentiments.

 

[onehandbh]

It is also possible that Djokovic will find a solution to beating Alcaraz, just as he did with Medvedev. Alcaraz has more variety and is more athletic, though.

 

[Benf15harp]

I remember Borg, in his beginning he just had a fh and quick feet, just like Nadal had early in his career.

Then Borg developed a bh, later a serve, and later a volley, it took him a few years to become more complete.

Alcaraz is just 20, and he's already complete, and still improving.

There is no telling how high he can rise.

We are lucky, we had Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, and now Alcaraz!!

This is his peak. The questions are: can he maintain it and will anyone actually challenge him over the next several years?

 

[Eureka]

This is his peak. The questions are: can he maintain it and will anyone actually challenge him over the next several years?

You raise good points, and at this stage of course, there is no certainty. I disagree though that this is his peak. I expect CA to develop / hone his skills further. He is on a steep learning curve as most excellent youngsters are, and consider him to be a work in progress.

 

[Benf15harp]

You raise good points, and at this stage of course, there is no certainty. I disagree though that this is his peak. I expect CA to develop / hone his skills further. He is on a steep learning curve as most excellent youngsters are, and consider him to be a work in progress.

Some peak earlier than others. See it a lot now with training starting at birth in all sports since theres such a ridiculous amount of money available. Plus, let’s face it he couldn’t have “peaked” at a better time in tennis. Roger quit. Nadal in/out w/serious injury and gotten older Novak banned for much of two seasons and gotten older The next gen suck. The newest gen suck. Most “stars” are old now and washed up like gasquet, Murray, Stan monfils etc etc etc
Top 100 is one of the worst I can ever remember
Good luck is probably one of the most overlooked keys to success in tennis.

 

[Eureka]

Some peak earlier than others. .............Good luck is probably one of the most overlooked keys to success in tennis.

Interesting take - thanks. I often say that the 'right time / right place' impact is key, and that Lady Luck creates the dance to be danced.
In the end, talent without a means to put it into practice goes by the way side. Destiny is key.

When a youngster achieves a lot in young age, your point about peaking earlier than others is an appropriate consideration. This is why I cannot understand why some write off the other youngsters - especially Rune / Sinner, as there is every chance that they will find their moment too.

 

[Topspin_80]

This is his peak. The questions are: can he maintain it and will anyone actually challenge him over the next several years?

He's 20 yo, what we have seen is his peak of the year, not his peak of his life.

He's improving before our eyes on monthly basis.

To your chagrin, you're gonna see him grow his game by leaps and bounds.

You have tough times ahead.

============================================================================

"will anyone actually challenge him over the next several years?"

With that question, basically you are counting Novak out.

Is that what you think? Novak is not going to challenge him over the next few years?

If Alcaraz was born 10 years before, chances are that none of the big 3 would have reached 20 slams.

 

[EpitomeOfAwesome]

Alcaraz has the biggest forehands, the deftest touch, the fastest legs.
They said his serve was weak. Now he's regularly hitting 130mph.
They thought clay would be his best surface. He is barely out of his teenage and won Wimbledon facing top level opponents.
He definitely had the game to defeat Djoker at FO as well.
He fixed his cramping/nervousness issue so quickly.
This guy is an absolute freight train picking up steam.

 

[flyingboris]

The full match is now available on the official Wimbledon channel.

Timestamps taken from one of the comments:
0:00 Start 1st set
31:28 2nd set
1:47:27 3rd set
2:08:16 the never-ending game
2:40:06 4th set
3:22:55 5th set
4:02:10 Championship point

 

[Mike Sams]

Wimbledon is really loving posting so many different videos of this match on their YouTube channel. LOL

 

[abmk]

Most of these comments are ridiculous
Tiny was not better than Novak
Novak blew this match 3 times
should’ve been a straight set win.
There’s was absolutely nothing tiny was doing to bother Novak in the first 2 sets or the 4th.
For whatever reason he couldn’t hit routine BHs in the TB and that moronic DS
And then decided to serve for 30mins like a moron.

Novaks poor decisions cost him the match. Had nothing to do with tiny.

I see someone is sore and completely out of touch with the reality.
Alcaraz was the better player in the 2nd set and could've won it a break difference. he won 39% of return points to only 30% for Djokovic
before the 2 missed BHs, djoko hit 2 BH passing shots.

 

[Benf15harp]

I see someone is sore and completely out of touch with the reality.
Alcaraz was the better player in the 2nd set and could've won it a break difference. he won 39% of return points to only 30% for Djokovic
before the 2 missed BHs, djoko hit 2 BH passing shots.

Which one had a set point first?

 

[FeroBango]

Which one had a set point first?

Which one was 2-0 up in the set?

 

[abmk]

Which one had a set point first?

who was up a break first?
who was holding serve easier?
who won a clearly higher% of return points in the set?
overall Alcaraz was the better player in that set even if Djokovic got to SP first and missed a makeable (not necessarily easy) BH on it. (2nd BH that he missed was easy of course)

 

[Benf15harp]

Which one was 2-0 up in the set?

So being up a break in the beginning of a set is more important than the first player to reach set point?

 

[Benf15harp]

who was up a break first?
who was holding serve easier?
who won a clearly higher% of return points in the set?
overall Alcaraz was the better player in that set even if Djokovic got to SP first and missed a makeable (not necessarily easy) BH on it. (2nd BH that he missed was easy of course)

Now breakdown the 1st and 4th set please

That’s exactly the point. Novak blew it.

 

[abmk]

Now breakdown the 1st and 4th set please

djokovic was the better player in those sets (1,4) obviously and won those.
just as Alcaraz was in sets 2, 3 and 5.

 

[Benf15harp]

djokovic was the better player in those sets (1,4) obviously and won those.
just as Alcaraz was in sets 2, 3 and 5.

3/5 yes. But, you don’t get to set point first being the inferior player.

 

[abmk]

3/5 yes. But, you don’t get to set point first being the inferior player.

yes, you obviously can due to nature of tennis scoring system.
Fed won 28% of return points and Haas 7% in 1st set of RG 2009 match. Haas didn't just get to set point first, he won it in a TB , 7-4.
fed hadn't lost a point on serve before the TB. he had a BP chance on Haas serve.

2009 Roland Garros R16: Roger Federer vs Tommy Haas Detailed Stats | Tennis Abstract

 

[Benf15harp]

For the last time. CA won 3/5. Novak won 1/4.
2 was an even set that Novak blew in the tiebreaker. There was only 2 points separating the two over 5 sets. Which is essentially an even competition. Novak blew it and CA was the beneficiary. It’s just that simple.

 

[FeroBango]

So being up a break in the beginning of a set is more important than the first player to reach set point?

Certainly. If the lead had held on, there wouldn't have been said set point in the first place. The better player won rightfully.

 

[Benf15harp]

yes, you obviously can due to nature of tennis scoring system.
Fed won 28% of return points and Haas 7% in 1st set of RG 2009 match. Haas didn't just get to set point first, he won it in a TB , 7-4.
fed hadn't lost a point on serve before the TB. he had a BP chance on Haas serve.

2009 Roland Garros R16: Roger Federer vs Tommy Haas Detailed Stats | Tennis Abstract

Lol. This is foolish.

 

[Benf15harp]

Certainly. If the lead had held on, there wouldn't have been said set point in the first place. The better player won rightfully.

So Carlos wasn’t broken also?

 

[FeroBango]

What I've understood is that Rog is the moral winner of Womble 2019.

 

[abmk]

Lol. This is foolish.

just giving a real example. Not my fault if you don't understand it or the tennis scoring system.

 

[FeroBango]

So Carlos wasn’t broken also?

I sincerely wish Woolly Mammoths made a comeback man. I miss em homies

 

[DSH]

People are projecting like mad today - the Djokovic fans are in particular. We don't know how it will go tomorrow - I will hope for the best and the best thing for tennis is for CARLOS to win!

Vamos Carlitos Alcaraz!

 

[DSH]

I don't see Alcaraz losing to Djokovic much. Maybe Djoker will get him in some of the Masters or best of 3 tourneys.
But the majors are going to be a monstrous hurdle for Djokovic against a healthy Alcaraz.
There's no part of Alcaraz's game that Djokovic can challenge.
He can't attack the forehand or backhand of Alcaraz.
He can't charge the net.
He can't hit through Alcaraz either.
He can't get into his head nor tire him out.
It's a very different challenge that Djokovic is facing here.
Basically a younger and possibly faster version of himself with an equal arsenal of weapons and court IQ with an equally strong will to win...if not more.

It's going to be nice to see Djokovic being demolished and swept by the wonder boy named Carlos Alcaraz in upcoming tournaments, especially Grand Slam events.

 

[DSH]

It is also possible that Djokovic will find a solution to beating Alcaraz, just as he did with Medvedev. Alcaraz has more variety and is more athletic, though.

It will not happen and while one of them will level up, the other will begin his final physical decline and, therefore, this "rivalry" will only have the same winner again and again.

 

[Mike Sams]

It's going to be nice to see Djokovic being demolished and swept by the wonder boy named Carlos Alcaraz in upcoming tournaments, especially Grand Slam events.

Probably 19 year old Stefan Djokovic will challenge a 32 year old Alcaraz and try to stop him from passing his dad's achievements.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

The best man. The better man.

 

[Rattie]

Probably 19 year old Stefan Djokovic will challenge a 32 year old Alcaraz and try to stop him from passing his dad's achievements.

A 24 yr old Jaime Alcaraz could be in the mix by then.

 

[Mike Sams]

A 24 yr old Jaime Alcaraz could be in the mix by then.

Lenny Federer will also be looking to get some spotlight I'm sure.

 

[acintya]

the truth is Djokovic played ultra bad and it was windy.

this thread has too much pages already.

one of the most overhyped wins/matches of all time.

and this comes from a Carlitos fan. I said to my friends that this boy will be huge when he was still in dippers.

anyway - dont over-react. I hope the will meet soon. If he beats Novak two/three times in a row then we can talk.

 

[FeroBango]

the truth is Djokovic played ultra bad and it was windy.

this thread has too much pages already.

one of the most overhyped wins/matches of all time.

and this comes from a Carlitos fan. I said to my friends that this boy will be huge when he was still in dippers.

anyway - dont over-react. I hope the will meet soon. If he beats Novak two/three times in a row then we can talk.

Agreed. Djokovic didn't try at all. What a loser. Time to retire ig.