As the 2025 Wimbledon Championships dawn on June 30, Carlos Alcaraz stands poised to chase a historic third consecutive title at the All England Club, a feat achieved by only four men in the Open Era. The 22-year-old Spaniard, now a five-time Grand Slam champion, has become a dominant force on grass, but his journey to this point began with a moment of self-doubt before his breakthrough victory in 2023. Reflecting on that pivotal tournament, Alcaraz recently revealed a candid truth: “I didn’t think I could win Wimbledon.” His admission, shared as he returned the iconic trophy ahead of this year’s event, paints a vivid picture of a young star grappling with the weight of history and emerging victorious against the odds.
In 2023, Alcaraz arrived at Wimbledon as the world No. 1, fresh off a Queen’s Club title that marked his first triumph on grass. Yet, the slick, unpredictable surface remained a challenge for the then-20-year-old, whose clay-court prowess was well-established but whose grass game was still a work in progress. “Honestly, I’m feeling nervous right now holding it,” he said, clutching the Wimbledon trophy during a ceremonial handover, his voice tinged with awe as memories of that 2023 final flooded back. “It gets you back to last year when I lifted it.” That year, Alcaraz faced Novak Djokovic, the seven-time champion and seemingly invincible force on Centre Court, in a final that would redefine his career.
The match, a five-set epic lasting four hours and 42 minutes, saw Alcaraz overcome a crushing 6-1 first-set loss to defeat Djokovic 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. “It’s a dream come true for me,” Alcaraz said after receiving the trophy from the Princess of Wales, his emotions raw. “Making history in this beautiful tournament, playing a final against a legend of our sport—for me, it’s incredible.” The victory ended Djokovic’s 45-match unbeaten streak on Centre Court and marked the first time in a decade that someone other than Andy Murray had defeated him in a Wimbledon final. At 20 years and 72 days, Alcaraz became the third-youngest men’s champion in the Open Era, behind only Boris Becker and Björn Borg.
Alcaraz’s path to the 2023 title was anything but straightforward. He began with straight-set wins over Jeremy Chardy and Alexandre Muller, followed by a gritty victory over Nicolas Jarry. A statement four-set win against 2021 finalist Matteo Berrettini in the fourth round showcased his growing comfort on grass, as did his sweeps of Holger Rune in the quarterfinals and Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals. “I thought, ‘I can’t beat Novak,’” Alcaraz admitted, reflecting on his mindset before the final. Yet, he drew inspiration from studying videos of Roger Federer and Andy Murray, whom he considered the best movers on grass. “I wanted to emulate their style,” he said, crediting their influence for his ability to adapt.
The final itself was a rollercoaster. Djokovic’s clinical first set left Alcaraz reeling, but the Spaniard found his rhythm in a high-octane second-set tiebreak, where he slotted a backhand return winner to level the match. “After clinching the 85-minute second set, I lifted my racket to the sky, enticing the Wimbledon crowd to enjoy the moment with me,” he recalled. The third set saw Alcaraz dominate with a 6-1 scoreline, thanks to a 27-minute fifth game with 13 deuces and seven break points. Though Djokovic forced a fifth set, Alcaraz’s nerve held firm, his attacking tennis and deft net play sealing the win. “For someone of his age to handle the nerves, be playing attacking tennis, and to close out the match the way he did, he came up with some amazing shots,” Djokovic graciously noted, praising Alcaraz’s adaptability on grass.
Alcaraz’s 2023 triumph was a turning point, not just for him but for men’s tennis, signaling a shift in the guard. “I have fallen in love with grass right now,” he declared post-match, a sentiment that has since defined his dominance at Wimbledon, where he defended his title in 2024 with a straight-sets victory over Djokovic. His Queen’s Club win in 2025, extending his match-winning streak to 18, has made him the “red-hot favourite,” according to former champion Pat Cash. “You can’t really expect better form for him to come into Wimbledon; he’s obviously the player to beat,” Cash said.
As Alcaraz prepares to face Fabio Fognini in his 2025 Wimbledon opener, his reflection on 2023 reveals a champion who thrives on defying expectations. “It’s great to win, but even if I had lost, I would be really proud of myself with this amazing run,” he said then, a testament to his humility. Now, with five Grand Slam titles and a silver medal from the 2024 Paris Olympics, Alcaraz’s journey from doubt to dominance underscores his relentless drive. “I don’t consider myself a champion yet, not like them,” he said, referencing legends like Djokovic and Nadal. “But I try to keep going, to keep building my path, my journey.” At Wimbledon, where history and ambition collide, Alcaraz’s story continues to captivate.
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