2 Responses to wb23alcaraz_djokovic

1. Voo de Mar says:

   July 16, 2023 at 8:33 pm

   Points won by each set: | 16-29, 50-44, 41-29, 28-36, 33-28 |
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   26 % Alcaraz – 40 of 150
   23 % Djokovic – 44 of 184

   There was a lot at stake for Djokovic. He could regain the No. 1 ranking, prolong his chances of winning a calendar Grand Slam for the first time, and extend his winning streak at Wimbledon to 34 matches (surpassing Sampras’ 31). He needed a title in 2024 to surpass Borg and Federer. In comparison to women’s tennis, he had the opportunity to equal Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles. By reaching his 35th major final, he had already surpassed Chris Evert.
   All these numbers didn’t affect him at all. Despite slipping and falling on the grass as early as the third point of the final, he held his serve, saving a break point, and quickly took a commanding 5:0* (30-all) lead. It was a shocking start as Alcaraz is known for being a front-runner. However, the 16 years younger Spaniard improved in the 2nd set, taking a *2:0 (30/15) lead. Djokovic broke back, and showed his emotions for the first time, sensing that his opponent had found his rhythm. The remainder of the set went with the serve. Djokovic had previously won 13 consecutive tie-breaks, a career-best, but he lost the tie-break 6/8. He led 3:0 in it, yet Alcaraz quickly leveled the score. With 6:5* in Djokovic’s favor, he lost his timing and hit a backhand into the net. He reacted as if he had lost the set, and indeed, it happened two points later.
   Alcaraz began the 3rd set with a break of serve. After the first three games of the set, they returned to the court and spent there a half of an hour before the next change of ends! First, Alcaraz withstood a double break point, and then he added another break in a marathon game that lasted 26 minutes (17-15 in points). It featured 13 deuces, making it the longest game in the Wimbledon finals of the Open Era, and likely the longest game in all major finals since 1968. Djokovic wasted eight game points, including a double game point. After that titanic game, Djokovic seemed disinterested in the following two games, already conserving his energy for a potential five-setter. After the set, he took a toilet break and returned to the court refreshed and ready to fight.
   He fought off a double break point at 0:1 in the 4th set and eventually got a vital break at 2-all. Another break in the ninth game gave him the advantage of serving first in the deciding set. Alcaraz saved a break point at 0:1 (Djokovic had a winnable position hitting a drive-volley) and broke in the following game at 30, taking advantage of an atypical rally where Djokovic lost his balance but immediately regained command. However, his approach shot was too weak, and the 20-year-old Spaniard responded with a blistering backhand passing-shot winner down the line (Djokovic destroyed his racquet furiously hitting the net-post). The momentum of the final shifted.
   Long, grueling rallies were replaced by fast serves that left little room for successful returns. Nonetheless, the last game of the championship reflected the tone of the entire final. There were rallies, with only one unreturned serve in six points, which brought a match point. The final point ended with Djokovic netting his forehand on the run as Alcaraz attacked the net. Alcaraz celebrated the biggest title of his career by lying on the grass, and moments later, he jumped to his box to embrace his friends and family. I had expected him to win Wimbledon last year, but he was slightly injured and defeated in the fourth round. “It’s a dream come true to be able to play on these stages. It’s amazing for a boy, 20 years old, to reach this kind of situation really fast. I’m really, really proud of myself and the team that I have. The work we put in every day, to be able to lift this.” said Alcaraz. Djokovic admitted the class of his conqueror: “I think people have been talking in the past twelve months or so about [Alcaraz’s] game consisting of certain elements from Roger, Rafa, and myself. I would agree with that. I think he’s got basically best of all three worlds. I haven’t played a player like him ever, to be honest. Roger and Rafa have their own obvious strengths and weaknesses. Carlos is a very complete player […] I haven’t played a player like him. Ever.”

   Alcaraz’s route to his 12th title (2nd Grand Slam):
   1 Jeremy Chardy 6-0, 6-2, 7-5
   2 Alexandre Muller 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-3
   3 Nicolas Jarry 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3, 7-5
   4 Matteo Berrettini 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3
   Q Holger Rune 7-6(3), 6-4, 6-4
   S Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-3, 6-3
   W Novak Djokovic 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4

   Serve & volley: Alcaraz 2/8, Djokovic 3/8

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2. Voo de Mar says:

   July 17, 2023 at 1:14 pm

   Five setters: Djokovic 37-11, Alcaraz 9-1
   Set point sets: Djokovic 69-59, Alcaraz 11-7

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