Wimbledon 2023: Carlos Alcaraz dethrones Novak Djokovic in epic five-set men's final

Carlos Alcaraz stunned Novak Djokovic to win the Wimbledon men's singles tennis title on Sunday (16 July).

The 20-year-old Spaniard won 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in four hours and 42 minutes to end Djokovic's hopes of a calendar Grand Slam for this year at least.

It was Alcaraz's second Slam title with his first coming at last year's US Open.

After dropping the first set, the youngster won a second-set tiebreak - ending Djokovic's Open era Grand Slam record of 15 consecutive breaker wins - before taking the initiative in the third.

The seven-time champion fought back in the fourth set to level the match, but Alcaraz would not be denied in just his fifth grass-court tournament as he joined Manolo Santana and Rafael Nadal as Spanish men's singles winners at Wimbledon.

Alcaraz said in his on-court interview, "It's a dream come true. It's great to win but even if I'd lost I'd have been very proud playing against a legend of our sport. For me, it's incredible.

"For a boy of 20 years old, I really didn't expect to reach this situation. It's really really fast. I'm really proud of myself and the team I have around me.

"After the first set, I thought, 'Carlos, increase the level.' I have to congratulate Novak. What can I say about him? You inspire me a lot. I started playing tennis, watching you. Since I was born, you already were winning tournaments. It's amazing. You said 36 is the new 26 and you make that happen."

It was Djokovic's first defeat at Wimbledon since 2017 and means he remains on 23 Grand Slam titles, one behind the all-time record held by Margaret Court.

He was fulsome in his praise of the victor afterwards, saying "I thought I'd only have trouble with you on clay and hard courts but now...

"You never like to lose matches like this but, when all the emotions have settled, I have to be very happy. I won close games before - maybe I should have lost a couple of finals I won here - so this is even stevens."

Carlos Alcaraz outlasts Novak Djokovic in classic Wimbledon final

Djokovic went into the match as favourite to win an eighth Wimbledon title.

Normally so surefooted on the grass, he slipped and fell in the opening game and had to save a break point before holding.

But the Serbian star was his usual clinical self after that, breaking Alcaraz twice as the young Spaniard failed to match the reigning champion's intensity.

Djokovic took the first set 6-1 in just 35 minutes, but Alcaraz broke for a 2-0 lead in the second to buoy his entourage and fans.

The Serbian then broke straight back, letting out a huge roar as he did so, and the set went on serve until a tie-break.

Djokovic achieved a mini-break at the start, but Alcaraz fought back and then the favourite was handed a code violation for taking too long to serve as he bounced the ball repeatedly.

That did not deter the 36-year-old, but he netted on his first set point before Alcaraz created one of his own.

The 20-year-old produced a magnificent backhand return to take the tie-break 8-6 and level the match.

Suddenly, everything was going for the underdog who broke at the start of the third to lead for the first time.

Alcaraz was troubling Djokovic by mixing up his pace from the baseline, but errors saw him soon give up two break points. However, the world No.1 saved them both and proceeded to look the more solid as the set progressed.

Then came a game which will live long in the memory. It lasted fully 26 minutes, featuring no fewer than 13 deuces, and Alcarez eventually broke at the second time of asking to lead 4-1.

With the set all but lost, Djokovic did not exert himself too greatly in the next two games as Alcaraz took it 6-1. And the Serbian, seeking a fifth consecutive title, took a lengthy toilet break before the start of the fourth.

Then came an attritional period of play with Djokovic rediscovering the spark which had deserted him in the third. After saving two break points in the second game, he began to ask questions of the reigning US Open champion and eventually got his reward.

Moving his opponent from side to side and peppering the backhand wing, Djokovic converted a third break point to lead 3-2 and then broke again to take the set 6-3 and force the decider.

Both men saved break points at the start of the set, displaying incredible shot-making, athleticism and determination.

And at 1-1, a rally to grace any highlight reel and one which may have decided the destiny of the final. At break point down, Djokovic slipped but somehow recovered his footing in time to get back into the point.

An approach was not quite on point, however, and Alcaraz passed him with the Serbian angrily hurling his racket into the net post for which he received boos and a second code violation from the chair umpire.

Alcaraz consolidated the break with a service hold to love, and showed no nerves as he closed in on victory.

And when Djokovic netted a forehand, the man from El Palmar, Murcia fell to the ground to celebrate his first Wimbledon title.