Wimbledon 2023 LIVE: Reaction after Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic in final for the ages
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 1-6 7-6 6-1 3-6 6-4 to win one of the greatest ever Wimbledon finals
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Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic to win the Wimbledon men’s final, denying the Serbian a fifth consecutive title, in a five-set epic and one of the greatest matches ever played at the All England Club.
Alcaraz fought from a set down in an instant classic to end Djokovic’s winning run in SW19, with the match played across almost five hours of breathtaking drama. Before the final, Djokovic had won 34 consecutive matches at Wimbledon and had not lost on Centre Court since 2013, but Alcaraz overturned history to win his second grand slam title. Djokovic had also won his previous 104 grand slam matches after winning the opening set.
In doing so, the 20-year-old Spaniard brings one of the most dominant eras of tennis history to an end. Alcaraz is the first player outside of the sport’s ‘big four’ of Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray to win the Wimbledon men’s singles title since 2002. Djokovic had been bidding to join Federer by equalling his men’s record of eight singles titles, but was denied by an inspired Alcaraz.
“It’s a dream come true for me,” an emotional Alcaraz said after receiving the trophy from the Princess of Wales. “Making history in this beautiful tournament, playing a final against a legend of our sport – for me it’s incredible. It’s amazing, for a boy like me, 20 years old, to reach this kind of situation.”
Follow live updates and results from day 14 of Wimbledon, below.
Wimbledon 2023’s best matches
Ons Jabeur vs Aryna Sabalenka
When Aryna Sabalenka was serving at 40-30, a point away from going 5-3 up in the second set of her semi-final against Ons Jabeur having already won the first, she cannot be blamed if she allowed herself to think of the final.
The second seed had put on a resolute display against last year’s beaten finalist, hitting her way out of trouble against the tricky Tunisian to put herself on the brink of victory.
But then Jabeur preyed on a moment of weakness from Sabalenka and won three successive games to send the match to a decider.
With momentum on her side she was able to control the third set to eventually post a 6-7 (5) 6-4 6-3 victory.
Wimbledon 2023’s best matches
Elina Svitolina vs Victoria Azarenka
A Sunday night clash on Court One produced great sporting theatre, full of drama and controversy.
Underpinning the fourth-round match between two mothers was some incredible tennis, but it was the first time a Ukrainian player had come up against a Russian or Belarussian at this year’s tournament.
Elina Svitolina, who went on to lose in the semi-finals, felt that she was playing for a higher cause than herself throughout the whole tournament and after battling from a set down produced a brilliant victory in a dramatic and tense deciding tie-break to win 2-6 6-4 7-6 (9).
But it was not until after the match that the real drama happened as Svitolina, as has been customary since the war in Ukraine began, refused to shake hands with Belarussian Azarenka, who was roundly booed by the Court One crowd when she then left the stadium promptly.
Wimbledon 2023’s best matches
Holger Rune vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
This third-round match may have gone on for a minute shy of four hours but it will always be remembered for the penultimate point.
After trading two sets apiece, with the Spaniard Davidovich Fokina going two sets to one up before Rune levelled, the fifth set went to a tiebreak.
That was typically tight and the first-to-10 breaker was tied at 8-8 with Fokina serving.
What happened next left everyone in shock as the 31st seed incredibly decided to produce an underarm serve, which Rune dispatched with ease to set up match point.
He then converted at the first attempt to seal a 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-4 7-6 (8) victory.
Wimbledon 2023’s best matches
Andy Murray vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
It is a shame the clash between two-time champion Andy Murray and fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas came as early as the second round and the pair did not disappoint over two days of action.
Starting around 7.30pm on the first Thursday, the first two tie-break sets were shared with Tsitsipas winning the first and Murray levelling up.
Murray immediately broke early in the third set which he then won, and was looking very good, but at 10.40pm the match was suspended due to the impending curfew.
They came back the following day and Murray could not regain his level, though would have had break points in the fourth set – that could have allowed him to then serve for the match – had he challenged an incorrect line call.
However, Tsitsipas was too good in the decider and sealed a 7-6 (3) 6-7 (2) 6-4 6-7 (3) 6-4 victory.
Wimbledon: How to get tennis tickets and register for 2024 ballot
Fans keen to grab a ticket for 2024 can now declare their interest. The tournament is scheduled from 1-14 July.
The Wimbledon Public Ballot will return and entry opens in September 2023. Fans can register now and will be sent the latest information on ticketing for The Championships 2024 here.
How to get Wimbledon tickets and register for 2024 ballot
More fans than ever before are attending the Championships including thousands braving the queue for several hours
Wimbledon hero Henry Searle reassessing strategy as focus turns to men’s game
Henry Searle’s Wimbledon exploits will force his coaching team to “go back to the drawing board”.
The 17-year-old from Wolverhampton became the first British winner of the Wimbledon boys’ singles title since Stanley Matthews, the son of the great footballer, in 1962.
Searle – who hit an incredible 134mph serve on his way to the title – now has his eyes on the men’s game.
Wimbledon hero Henry Searle reassessing strategy as focus turns to men’s game
Searle became the first British player to win the boys’ singles title at Wimbledon in 61 years.
Henry Searle: Who is British Wimbledon boys’ champion and how good can he be?
On Sunday afternoon, Henry Searle became the boys’ singles champion at Wimbledon, ending a 61-year wait for a British winner in that competition.
In beating Russia’s Yaroslav Demin in straight sets to lift the trophy, 17-year-old Searle emulated the 1962 triumph of Stanley Matthews Jr, son of the British footballing great. But just how good can Searle be?
His 6-4 6-4 victory over the fifth seed on Sunday was an impressive result, achieved through an assured performance, yet a junior grand-slam title is no guarantee of the same success at senior level.
Who is Wimbledon boys’ champion Henry Searle and how good can he be?
The 17-year-old beat fifth seed Yaroslav Demin in straight sets to lift the trophy on Sunday
Novak Djokovic fined for ‘racket abuse’ in Wimbledon final
Novak Djokovic has been fined 8,000 US dollars after smashing his racket against a net post during Sunday’s men’s singles final at Wimbledon.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club has confirmed the 36-year-old has been hit with the penalty, which amounts to around £6,117, for “racket abuse” during his defeat by Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic allowed his frustration to show after failing to break Alcaraz and then losing his own service game during the decisive fifth set of an enthralling contest on Centre Court.
Umpire Fergus Murphy, who had earlier pulled up the Serbian for a time violation, immediately issued a warning for a code violation.
Novak Djokovic fined for Wimbledon final outburst
The Serbian received a warning during the fifth set of Sunday’s epic encounter
Henry Searle ends 61-year wait for British success in Wimbledon boys’ singles
Henry Searle became the first British boys’ singles champion at Wimbledon since 1962.
The 17-year-old from Wolverhampton beat fifth seed Yaroslav Demin 6-4 6-4 on Court One to emulate Stanley Matthews, son of the famous footballer, who triumphed 61 years ago.
He is Britain’s first junior champion since Laura Robson won the girls’ event in 2008 and ensured more home success at this year’s tournament after Neal Skupski won the men’s doubles on Saturday.
Henry Searle ends 61-year wait for British success in Wimbledon boys’ singles
The 17-year-old from Wolverhampton emulated Stanley Matthews, son of the famous footballer.
Kim Clijsters offers Ons Jabeur advice after third grand slam final defeat
Kim Clijsters has advised Ons Jabeur to “fake it until you make it” after another heartbreaking grand slam final defeat.
The popular Tunisian could not overcome her nerves in a 6-4 6-4 loss to Marketa Vondrousova that made it back-to-back Wimbledon final losses.
A US Open final defeat to Iga Swiatek was sandwiched in between and Jabeur now joins an unwanted club of players who have lost their first three grand slam finals.
Like Andy Murray, it took Belgian Clijsters five attempts before she finally won one, and she shared tears with Jabeur in the locker room.
Kim Clijsters offers Ons Jabeur advice after third grand slam final defeat
Clijsters lost her first four grand slam finals before going on to win four titles.
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