TENNIS
Becker says there’s a ‘changing of the guard’ after Alcaraz’s victory in the Wimbledon final
The German tennis legend admitted that Alcaraz’s victory over Djokovic in Wimbledon represents the start of a new era in the men’s category.
Carlos Alcaraz made history by winning his second Grand Slam tournament last Sunday by defeating Novak Djokovic in five exciting sets in the Wimbledon final.
The 20-year-old Spanish star, who had previously won the Queen’s event, was considered the underdog against Nole, as the Serb had been victorious seven times at the All England Club facilities.
However, Carlitos proved he has all the tools to beat the very best on any surface. Despite clearly losing the first set against a player like Djokovic, Alcaraz fought back with talent and intensity to end up winning the game in a final that will be remembered for a long time.
Wimbledon 2023: a generational takeover
While many praised Alcaraz’s impressive performance against Djokovic, six-time major winner Boris Becker thinks that Wimbledon marked a turning point for the young player.
“I see it as a changing of the guard. I see it as a game that will go down in history, and we’ll be talking about it in 10 years. This is the day Carlos Alcaraz came of age, and we’ve seen a lot of praise now in the last 48 hours”, Becker said to Eurosport’s Das Gelbe vom Ball podcast.
For Becker, the main reason why Alcaraz’s win can be considered a changing of the guard is the fact he lifted the trophy against a living legend like Djokovic:
“But who did he do it against? Yes, against the most successful of all time, so not just anyone. Certainly, he won US Open last year against Casper Ruud in the final and was already No. 1 in the world ranking, even before the tournament”.
“But at the end of the day, you have to show it in a major final against the best, and that’s Djokovic. And how did he show it!”, he added.
“(...) Carlos Alcaraz has taken over, and I think the world will thank him that we have seen such a likable, refreshing, almost innocent-looking young player from Spain, who does it as if it were the most natural thing in the world”, Becker concluded.
Alcaraz has enjoyed some well-deserved holidays with his family and friends but will be back in action in the Hopman Cup, which is underway in Nice, France, until Sunday.
The world No. 1 will represent Spain alongside Rebeka Masarova on Friday after Paula Badosa decided to withdraw due to some back issues.