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Alcaraz attempts to keep lid on great expectations
AFP, London
Carlos Alcaraz is determined to quash any suggestions that his epic Wimbledon final win over Novak Djokovic represents the dawn of a new era despite all indications that tennis has witnessed a generational shift.
On Sunday, the 20-year-old became the tournament’s youngest champion since Boris Becker in 1986.
His rollercoaster 1-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 victory prevented 36-year-old Djokovic from becoming its oldest champion.
It also thwarted Djokovic’s dream of equalling Roger Federer’s best of eight titles at the All England Club and matching Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles.
Alcaraz though is remaining cautious.
“I don’t feel that I have confirmed something that we all expected,” said the world number one.
“I try to avoid what people say, what people expect because in the end it’s a pressure that I put on myself.”
When he claimed a maiden Slam at the US Open last year, Alcaraz became the youngest champion of a men’s major since his storied compatriot Rafael Nadal at the 2005 French Open.
He was also the youngest man to ascend to the world number one ranking.
Alcaraz is now just the fifth man in the modern era to win multiple titles at the majors before turning 21 after Mats Wilander, Bjorn Borg, Becker and Rafael Nadal.
Alcaraz is now the only other player with more than one major in that time span.
Djokovic believes the young Spaniard has successfully harnessed elements from his game as well as those of Federer and Nadal.
“I think he’s got basically the best of all three worlds,” said Djokovic who hadn’t lost on Centre Court since 2013 until Sunday.
“People have been talking in the past 12 months or so about his game consisting of certain elements from Roger, Rafa, and myself. I would agree with that.”
Alcaraz said he had “grown up” since that horror show in Paris last month.
“It’s great for the new generation to see me beating him and make them think they are capable of doing it as well,” said Alcaraz.
With Federer already retired and 37-year-old Nadal sitting out the rest of the year, maybe never to return, all eyes will be on Alcaraz whose coach Juan Carlos Ferrero once predicted could win 30 Grand Slams.
“Who’s going to match this kid for the next few years?” 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash told the BBC.
“It’s hard to see anybody.”