20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz wins Wimbledon to emerge a tennis superstar beyond the Big Three

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have won a combined total of 63 Grand Slams in last 19 years. And the last two decades of men's tennis has been completely dominated by these 'Big Three'.

Players like Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berych and Lleyton Hewitt were good challengers, but they never came close to the quality of these three.

But it seems like we finally have a player who is going to be the next big thing in men's tennis.

Carlos Alcaraz, the 20-year-old tennis sensation from Spain, made history at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships by dethroning the 23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and capturing the prestigious men's singles title.

World number one Alcaraz recovered from dropping the first set and saving a set point in the second to win 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 after four hours and 42 minutes on the Centre Court in London on Sunday (July 16).

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Alcaraz became the first player outside of the Big Four of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Andy Murray to win Wimbledon since 2002. The last player to do so was Lleyton Hewitt, who won the title in 2002.

"Didn't get down, didn't give up," said Alcaraz, the third-youngest man to win the grass-court major in the Open era. "I haven't played a player like him. Ever," said Djokovic after the game.

Let's delve into the journey and achievements of the Spaniard:

A rising star

Carlos Alcaraz was born on May 5, 2003, in El Palmar, Murcia, Spain. He started playing tennis at the age of 4, and his father was his first coach. Alcaraz quickly showed promise, and he won the Spanish national championship for Under-12s in 2016.

In 2018, Alcaraz turned professional and began playing on the ATP Challenger Tour. He won his first Challenger title in 2019, and he broke into the top 100 of the ATP rankings in 2020.

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His natural talent and unwavering dedication propelled him to make his ATP main-draw debut at the Rio Open in 2020 when he was just 16 years old.

 

Breakthrough season

Alcaraz's breakthrough season came in 2021. He won four ATP Tour titles, including his first Masters 1000 title at the Miami Open. He also reached the quarterfinals of the US Open, becoming the youngest male player to do so since 2004.

Alcaraz continued his success in 2022. He won the Rio Open, the Barcelona Open, the Madrid Open, and the US Open. He also reached the semifinals of the Australian Open and the French Open.

 

Grand Slam triumphs

Alcaraz's big leap came at the 2022 US Open, where he became the youngest champion at the hardcourt tournament since Pete Sampras in 1990. His powerful serves, blistering forehand, and exceptional shot selection guided him to victory over Casper Ruud in the final.

Alcaraz's second Grand Slam triumph came at Wimbledon in 2023, where he overcame Djokovic in a thrilling five-set battle, ending the Serbian's reign at the All England Club.

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Conquering tennis legends

One of Alcaraz's defining moments came at the 2022 Madrid Open when he defeated tennis giants Nadal and Djokovic consecutively.

This feat made him the first teenager in history to beat both Nadal and Djokovic in the same tournament, showcasing his immense talent and fearlessness on the court.

 

Impressive records

Alcaraz's achievements extend beyond his Grand Slam triumphs. He holds the distinction of being the youngest world number one in ATP rankings history.

Additionally, he has claimed nine titles as a teenager, second only to legends such as Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Mats Wilander, Boris Becker, and Andre Agassi.

Alcaraz has now become the youngest player to reach the top ranking since Lleyton Hewitt in 2001. He is also the youngest player to win the US Open since Pete Sampras in 1990.

 

Playing style and impact

Alcaraz's game is a masterclass in versatility and power. With serves exceeding 130 mph and a forehand that can clock over 100 mph, he wields a formidable arsenal of shots.

His agility, court coverage, and well-disguised drop shots add another layer to his game. Confident and composed, Alcaraz exudes the potential to fill the void left by tennis icons Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, bringing a new era of excitement to men's tennis.

 

Is he the next Djokovic, Nadal or Federer?

Carlos Alcaraz's victory at Wimbledon marks the emergence of a new tennis superstar. With his all-round game, sheer athleticism, and fearless style of play, he has cemented his place among the elite of the sport.

Djokovic believes Wimbledon champion Alcaraz is  him, Federer, Nadal rolled into one. "I think he's got basically best of all three worlds," said Djokovic.

As he continues to develop and showcase his extraordinary skills, the future looks incredibly bright for Alcaraz, a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court.