"It was exciting": Former women's world number one praise Carlos Alcaraz for 'toying' with Novak Djokovic in Wimbledon 2024 final

Spain’s young tennis star Carlos Alcaraz has been praised by former women’s world number one Tracy Austin for his incredible performance in the final of Wimbledon 2024. The third Grand Slam concluded on Sunday, and players from all over the world participated. Still, in the men’s singles category, it was the young Spaniard who eventually emerged victorious and lifted the title after beating Serbia’s legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-2, 7-6.

Austin, who won two Grand Slams in her illustrious career, was recently quoted in a report where she praised Alcaraz for his brilliant performance in the final. The 61-year-old stated that watching the much-awaited grand finale gave her a feeling that the 21-year-old, who is already regarded as one of the best players in the world, was ‘toying’ with someone like Djokovic, who is known as the greatest in history, of the sport.

"It was exciting,” she said. “At the end of the day, Carlos Alcaraz served incredibly well and returned incredibly well. Sometimes it seemed like he was, I don't know, toying with Novak. It was just so good. You're scratching your head like, 'Now you're taking tennis to another level,' and this is very exciting where we can go when you think about Sinner and the athleticism he has."

The win was a special one for Alcaraz because it was the first time in his career that he lifted two Grand Slams in a single year. Earlier this year, the world number three defeated Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the final in a five-set thrilling contest with a score of 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 to lift the French Open. It was also special because Alcaraz defended his title after beating the same player at the iconic venue. Just 12 months back, the youngster defeated Djokovic in a five-set thrilling contest to lift the Wimbledon title for the first time in his young career.