Entering Sunday’s Wimbledon final, Novak Djokovic had not lost a match on Centre Court since 2013. Step forward Carlos Alcaraz, who ended the Serbian’s dominance at the grass-court major by capturing a thrilling five-set win.

The 20-year-old was ecstatic following his second major triumph and hopes his victory can inspire the next generation on Tour.

“Making history that I did today, it’s the happiest moment of my life,” Alcaraz said. “I think it’s not going to change for a long time. Beating Novak, winning Wimbledon championship is something that I dreamt about since I starting playing tennis. That’s why is the biggest moment of my life.

“Beating Novak at his best, in this stage, making history, being the guy to beat him after 10 years unbeaten on that court, is amazing for me,” the Spaniard later added. “It’s something that I will never forget, that’s for sure. It’s great for the new generation, as well, I think to see me beating him and making them think that they are capable to do it, as well. It’s great for me and I think for the young players, as well.”

With his Tour-leading 47th win of the season, Alcaraz became just the fifth man in the Open Era (since 1968) to win multiple major titles prior to turning 21. The Spaniard’s victory also means he will begin a 29th week at No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday.

His victory against Djokovic shows the continued rapid progress Alcaraz is making. Last month, he lost against the Serbian at Roland Garros, suffering with cramps after the second set.

“I am totally different player than Roland Garros,” Alcaraz said. “I grew up a lot since that moment. I learned a lot from that moment. As I said before the final, I took a lesson from that match. I did something different before the match. I prepared a little bit different mentally before the match. I could deal with the pressure, the nerves, better than I did at Roland Garros.

“Obviously on grass is different than on clay. But I’m really happy to be able to stay there. Didn’t get down, didn’t give up. I fought until the last ball. Every ball, I think we made great rallies, great points. It was long, long match, long sets. I think was the mental part that allow me to stay there during the five sets.”

Alcaraz now leads Djokovic 2-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, having also defeated the World No. 2 en route to the title at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Madrid last year. Sunday’s victory was Alcaraz’s first against 23-time major champion Djokovic at a Slam, though, and he feels it is a result that will give him confidence in the future.

“Before this match, I thought I can’t beat Novak. That’s obvious. But after this epic match, let’s say, I think different about Novak in the way that probably in other tournaments, in other Grand Slams, I will remember this moment,” Alcaraz said.

“I will think that I’m ready to play five sets against him, good rallies, good sets, really long, long match, and stay there physically, mentally, in tennis, in general. Probably it changes my mind a little bit after this match.”

After winning the title, Alcaraz made his way to his player box, where he celebrated with his team, including coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, and his family. It was a special moment for the 20-year-old.

“It’s big moment not just for me, but for my family, for all the people around me,” Alcaraz said. “It’s a really, really special moment. I start playing tennis thanks to my dad. [He is a] really huge fan of tennis. He was watching tennis before I was born. It’s crazy. His whole life, it’s about tennis.

“I think for them, watching their kid making history, lifting the trophy, winning Wimbledon, is something incredible for them. For me to have them there, giving them a big hug, it’s something that I will never forget. I hope to have a photo from that moment because I’m going to keep it forever.”

Alcaraz’s second major title at Wimbledon has lifted him to first in the Pepperstone ATP Live Race To Turin. The Spaniard will be aiming to make his debut at the Nitto ATP Finals in November, after missing last year’s event due to injury.

Carlos Alcaraz retained World No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings by defeating Novak Djokovic on Sunday in an epic five-set Wimbledon final.

The championship clash was a winner-takes-all showdown, with the champion leaving London with the trophy and World No. 1. Alcaraz will on Monday begin his 29th week in the top spot.

At only 20 years old, Alcaraz has already held World No. 1 for longer than 12 other former World No. 1s including Mats Wilander (20 weeks), Daniil Medvedev (16), Andy Roddick (13), Boris Becker (12) and his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero (8).

Alcaraz leads Djokovic by 880 points in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings. Nobody else is within 2,000 points of the pair, setting the stage for a big showdown for ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by Pepperstone.

Last year, Alcaraz became the youngest player to earn the year-end No. 1 honour. Djokovic owns the record for most year-end No. 1 finishes with seven, most recently accomplishing the feat in 2021.

Novak Djokovic has moved to within two sets of a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title after racing to the first set 6-1 against Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s championship match.

The Serbian produced a masterful first-set performance on Centre Court, where his clean, deep returning piled the pressure on Alcaraz’s delivery. Djokovic converted two of his six break points to deliver an early statement in the pair’s third Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Alcaraz, whose huge groundstrokes helped him reach his maiden Wimbledon final for the loss of just two sets, was unable to penetrate his opponent’s defence with any kind of regularity.

Should Djokovic go on to complete victory at the All England Club, he would lift a record-extending 24th major trophy and stay on course for a historic calendar-year Grand Slam after his victories earlier in the year at the Australian Open and Roland Garros. He would also leapfrog Alcaraz on Monday to reclaim No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday, with Sunday’s final clash a winner-takes-all shootout for top spot.