LONDON: A new era in world tennis was launched as Carlos Alcaraz dethroned Novak Djokovic to become the new Wimbledon men’s singles champion.

The 20-year-old world No1 from Spain was the marginal outsider against the seven-time Wimbledon king, who was on a 34-match winning streak at SW19 and hadn’t lost on Centre Court for 45 games since the 2013 final against Andy Murray.

Djokovic looked well on course for winning his fifth Wimbledon title in a row – and also his third Grand Slam of the year – after racing through the first set 6-1 as he looked to maintain an astonishing record of never losing at SW19 in all 78 previous occasions he’d taken the opener.

Alcaraz slumped to the court after Djokovic’s final forehand dropped into the net before sharing a long embrace with the vanquished Serbian.

The defeat prevented Djokovic tying Roger Federer with an eighth Wimbledon title, while it also ended his chances of winning the calendar Grand Slam this year, although he will surely have more opportunities to equal Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 slam crowns.

But US Open champion Alcarez showed just why he’s such a special talent and destined to make more history in the next couple of decades by bouncing back to triumph 1-6 7-6(6) 6-1 3-6 6-4 in an all-time classic that lasted four hours and 42 minutes.

Alcaraz was not even born when Lleyton Hewitt in 2002 became the last man apart from Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray or Djokovic to win the title here, and he is the youngest men’s champion since Boris Becker in 1986.

He said: “Well it’s a dream come true for me. It’s great to win but even if I had lost I would have been really proud of myself, playing a final against a legend of our sport.

“After the first set I thought ‘hmmm… Carlos increase the level’. I have to congratulate Novak. I started playing tennis watching you. When I was born you were already winning tournaments. But 36 is the new 26. It’s amazing.”

Spain’s King Felipe was in the royal box supporting his country’s new star.

Alcaraz added: “It’s special to play here in front of royalty. I am really proud you are here supporting me. You’ve come to watch me twice and I won, so I hope you come some more.”

Djokovic said to the crowd: “Good afternoon. Not so good for me but good for Carlos.

“I have to praise to Carlos and his team. Quality at the end of the match, you served it out and you deserved it. I thought I’d only have trouble with you on clay or hard court, not on grass. Amazing, what you did in Queen’s and here.

“As for me you never like to lose matches like this but when all the emotions have settled I still have to be very grateful. I’ve won many close matches here down the years, maybe I should have lost a couple of finals that I won so it’s ‘Even Stevens’.

“It’s a tough one to swallow when you are so close. I lost to the better player and I have to congratulate him and move on.”

The capacity 15,000 crowd included the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte and King Felipe VI of Spain, Hollywood stars Brad Pitt, Hugh Jackman, Daniel Craig and Andy Murray along with new men’s doubles champion Neal Skupski.

The Scot was the last man to beat Djokovic on this court, 10 years and 46 matches ago.

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