"As long as Rafa and Djokovic are playing, there will be no change of era": Alcaraz doesn't see Next Gen taking over yet
ATP
Carlos
Alcaraz expressed his view that his victory at Wimbledon does not signal the
start of a new era in tennis, as both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic continue
to compete on the ATP tour.
The
20-year-old tennis sensation claimed his second Grand Slam title on Sunday
after an impressive run on the grass courts, defeating the world No. 2 Djokovic
in a thrilling 5-set final.
Alcaraz
reached the world No. 1 ranking in September 2022, following his triumph at the
US Open, and since then, he has been trading the top spot with Djokovic. With
his Wimbledon victory, the young Spaniard will hold the highest ranking for at
least a few more weeks.
At SW19,
Alcaraz secured his first Wimbledon title, despite Djokovic's extensive
experience and impressive record of 7 Wimbledon titles, winning the last four
consecutively from 2018 to 2022.
Despite
being at the top of the rankings and defeating Djokovic in the final, Alcaraz
expressed his opinion that there is still no change of era in tennis:
“I don’t think so because as long as Rafa and Djokovic are playing and are active there will be no change of era,"
“In a few
years, when they retire and don’t play anymore, the debate may come up again.
Now it’s not the moment. I have won for myself and my team, not to start an era.”
After the
final, Djokovic spoke at a press conference and expressed his opinion that
Alcaraz is a combination of the best parts of his own game, Rafael Nadal, and
Roger Federer. The Spanish player commented on Djokovic's words.
“That it is
amazing, crazy, for him to say it, who has played against tennis legends and
has played epic matches with Nadal, with Federer and with other players.
“For him to
say that he had not faced someone like me is a great compliment and that
obviously makes me want to keep working and keep improving.”
Alcaraz
will be away from the tournaments for a few weeks and will return to action at
the Canadian Open, a tournament in which he was eliminated in the second round
last year, facing Tommy Paul.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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