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A Wimbledon Masterpiece By Carlos Alcaraz
9 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
“If the world were clear art would not exist.” – Albert Camus
As our world suffers in a state of confusion and chaos, a much needed Grand Slam final of artistic tennis was performed today by Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 Wimbledon final. The 21 year old Spaniard was devastating and dominant today in thrashing the seven time champion Novak Djokovic 62 62 76.
The match was one sided until the end when a late Djokovic rally fell short. Alcaraz overwhelmed Djokovic early, breaking him in the first service game of the match after seven deuces. The tone was set by the youngster, his superior firepower and accuracy were beyond Djokovic’s control today.
Astoundingly, the creator of this beautiful and brutal tennis managed to sustain his outrageous level all the way until 62 62 54 and triple championship point. Alcaraz double faulted and then lost the next four points for 55. For a moment, it appeared the 24 time Grand Slam champion was about to escape and engineer yet another patented comeback win …but the tennis gods had a different plan.
Alcaraz regained his winning rhythm and won the tiebreaker 75. The final point was a Djokovic return into the net. The relieved and joyous Alcaraz roared in triumph to his box before congratulating his rival, who gave him a friendly embrace and smile. The greatest champion of all surely appreciated the unforgettable performance of his former apprentice though it came at his own expense.
All match long Alcaraz blasted away and blazed the court with blurring shots that seemed to be faster and more penetrating and accurate than anything Djokovic has ever encountered. Djokovic often seemed a step slow or in the wrong position to play the kill shots of Carlos.
There was one memorable instant in the second set when Djokovic attacked net and Alcaraz’s impossible running backhand crosscourt pass, clearly headed wide, provoked Djokovic to turn his head and look to see and make sure it really landed out. Djokovic had seen so many staggering winners struck by Carlos that for a split second he expected another. That shot landed two feet wide.
Alcaraz was a tennis fantasy artist today, using brute strength, delicate touch volleys and drop shots, speed of light running and battering serves to play perhaps the best Center Court match ever today. Reminiscent of the young Hewitt and Safin winning US Open finals vs Pete Sampras, it’s frightening to imagine how much better this dynamo can still evolve to become.
With Tom Cruise, Andre Agassi, Stefan Edberg, Rod Laver, Stan Smith, Chris Evert, Billie Jean King, John McEnroe in attendance, Djokovic was most gracious in defeat, expressing an aura that he knew it just wasn’t his day and the timing of the knee surgery five weeks ago and not even knowing just days before the start of the fortnight if he would be able to compete, were all signs that to beat Carlos today was a mission impossible. If anybody thought for a mili-second that Djokovic might even shock retire today after the defeat, forget it. Djokovic told his team during his runner up speech, “Let’s keep it going.”
And so these two titans will probably meet again at the Olympics and US Open and the 3-3 head to head series will be decided. With the emotions of pride, desire and revenge fueling Djokovic, the quality of tennis ahead this summer will be fascinating to see.
Carlos Alcaraz · Novak Djokovic · Wimbledon
Sam · July 14, 2024 at 7:58 pm
So, Scoop, what happened to Djokovic? Did he just not even show up today? 🤔
Do you think he’ll ever get to #25, or is he done winning Slams?
Scoop Malinowski · July 14, 2024 at 9:53 pm
Sam, Carlos was too gooooood today, he came out firing early and overwhelmed and staggered Djokovic from the first bell. Djokovic never in the match. It could be that Carlos has accelerated in his progression while Novak has stagnated. After what we saw today it’s hard to imagine Novak ever beating this kid again but of course only a FOOL would dare to write off Novak Djokovic. 25 will be a very very tall order. Today was Carlos’ day he was magnificent.
Sam · July 15, 2024 at 12:22 am
Scoop, obviously Alcaraz had a great day, but it also sounds like Djokovic had a pretty dire one. 😐
To win #25, it seems he would need some “help”—that is, Sinner and Alcaraz getting injured or upset early. Hey, stranger things have happened. 😏
Scoop Malinowski · July 15, 2024 at 6:52 am
Sam, it was all the Carlosmania show, he was unbeatable yesterday. Novak needs a coach, someone to give some energy and ideas.
Sam · July 15, 2024 at 8:58 pm
Yeah, Scoop, dumping his team seems to have caused a lot of issues for him. 🥸
Scoop Malinowski · July 16, 2024 at 6:29 am
The fire, fury and hunger to beat Carlos is not the same as it was vs Federer Nadal.
Sam · July 16, 2024 at 8:20 pm
Aging (and having kids) is probably part of it too, Scoop. In an interview from fifteen years ago (when she turned 50), Sheena Easton had this to say:
https://www.reviewjournal.com/uncategorized/sheena-easton-raising-kids-in-vegas-out-of-the-spotlight/
Youth and ambition go together. . . . I don’t think ambition is something that lasts a lifetime.
I still remember the fire in the belly. . . . Now I still love to sing. I still love music. But I don’t have that burnin’ ambition, to where I’ll do anything for a career. … I don’t care what career you’re in, the ambition goes away. You still enjoy the job, but the ambition dies down.
Scoop Malinowski · July 16, 2024 at 10:41 pm
Fully agree and it’s a miracle Djokovic achieved perhaps his two best years at 35 and 36. Letdown hangover is happening. Interesting source of those quotes in Sheena Easton, how did you find those quotes Sam?
Sam · July 17, 2024 at 3:56 pm
Scoop, his “ambition muscle” seems to be getting flabby (which is perfectly normal). 😏
Oh, I read that article back in 2009 when it first came out, and a lot of what she said has really stuck with me. How I discovered the article back in 2009, though, I don’t really remember. But I’d bought one of her old albums that year, so she was probably on my mind—and the article must’ve popped up when I did a basic Web search on her. 😉