Novak Djokovic’s incredible run to the Wimbledon final has missed out on its fairytale finish after Carlos Alcaraz became a back-to-back champion with a commanding display.
The Serbian tennis legend defied the odds just weeks after knee surgery to set up a rematch of last year’s championship match, a five-set thriller, but Sunday was no repeat.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Alcaraz defends title against Djokovic at Wimbledon.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
Alcaraz cemented his dominance as he blitzed his way to a 6-2 6-2 7-6 (7-4) victory on Centre Court.
From the moment the Spaniard won the first game of the match, a 14-minute, seven-deuce affair, to break Djokovic at the fifth attempt, the 24-time grand slam champion looked all of his 37 years.
Seeming flat and chasing Alcaraz’s tracers — 42 glorious winners, from drops shots to 170km/h forehand stunners — Djokovic has rarely been taken to the cleaners like this as the Spanish comet landed his fourth grand slam at only 21.
“He was definitely very hot today,” smiled a gracious Djokovic afterwards, amid laughter.
“He had it all. I tried to push him, saved the three match points and extended the match a little bit, but it wasn’t meant to be. He was an absolutely deserved winner today.”
Even in the knowledge that it seemed a miracle just for Djokovic to be in the final, the manner of the defeat to a future great stoked the inevitable fear.
“Wow. Love Djokovic, but is this maybe the first time we can say the ‘changing of the guard’?!?!” Nick Kyrgios wrote after commentating the match.
Outplayed, there was just that one flicker of major resistance from the old warrior Djokovic.
Three match points down with Alcaraz serving for the championship at 5-4, the Spaniard blinked, serving up a double fault and tightening with the winning line tantalisingly in his grasp.
But the reprieve, as Djokovic earned his first break, was merely temporary.
“Obviously not the result that I wanted,” the seven-time Wimbledon champion said.
“Especially the first couple of sets, the level of tennis wasn’t up to par, really, from my side but credit to Carlos for really playing some amazing tennis.
“Very complete tennis from the back of the court.”
– with AAP