The top of the tennis world has remained unchanged for almost 20 years. Carlos Alcaraz’s Wimbledon victory on Sunday is a tangible sign of a new era in tennis.
The 20-year-old Spaniard, who rose to the top of the tennis world at the end of last year and now won the Wimbledon men’s singles Carlos Alcaraz has taken a firm grip on the scepter of tennis superstars. Alcaraz defeated Serbia Novak Djokovic on Sunday in the nearly five-hour Wimbledon final.
At the top of tennis, the inevitable change of reign is at hand. Djokovic and Great Britain Andy Murray are both 36 years old and the Spaniard who suffered from injuries Rafael Nadal 37 years old. In addition, a Swiss sports legend Roger Federer announced that he would end his long career in September of last year at the age of 41.
Alcaraz’s victory on Sunday can be considered a turning point for top tennis, as the young Spaniard is the first Wimbledon winner in 19 years who does not come from the group of Djokovic, Murray, Nadal and Federer.
Behind the above-mentioned four, there was a big void at the top of tennis, as the younger contenders have been absent for the last 10-15 years.
– That’s why this change of power seems more blatant, when a 20-year-old and others in their twenties have arrived, explains the tennis coach of Turku’s ÅLK and ‘s tennis commentator Ville Nygard.
– Yes, it seems that Djokovic will stay on board for another year or two.
According to Nygård, Djokovic is able to challenge Alcaraz as long as his body lasts. The advantage for the Serbian is that there have been no major injuries during his career.
In Nadal’s case, injuries and the player’s physical playing style cast a shadow over the possibility that the Spaniard would ever return to the top.
– I don’t think there will be a grand slam victory again. Some success, but mediocre by Nadal’s standards.
The success of the receding generation has culminated in the likes of Djokovic, Nadal and Feder sparring with each other at the sport’s brightest peak, and the gap to those behind grew.
Now the eyes of the tennis world are firmly fixed on Alcaraz. In terms of player type, the young Spaniard is a versatile and physical player.
– He is a typical player of the next generation. More physical, stronger and more explosive than the previous giants.
Nygård sees that Alcaraz is in many ways an excellent combination of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer – even though the young Spaniard is a right-handed player.
– He is difficult to challenge, because there is no weak point and there are an awful lot of strengths.
Alcaraz’s challengers come from the Nordic countries
Like Alcaraz, the 20-year-old from Denmark Holger Rune is a physical player from whom we can expect future feats. However, in Nygård’s opinion, Rune is not as mentally mature as Alcaraz.
– Also a 24-year-old Norwegian Casper Ruud will definitely rock the top and may well take a grand slam win at some point, but he is not as versatile as Alcaraz and Rune.
Nygård is a long-term top-10 player from Norway who has played in three different grand slam finals.
Italy, who turns 22 in August, cannot be ignored either Jannik Sinner.
– Sinner is a consistent good performer without weaknesses. He chose tennis as his sport quite late, so the player’s development arc is still in progress.
When looking at the world of tennis, it is worth noting that the next comet is not currently visible from Australia and North America. However, the situation can change quickly.
– But if you have to guess one clear dominator, it is definitely Alcaraz.
The place alongside Alcaraz and Djokovic, who is still playing top tennis, at the absolute top of tennis is, however, tight.
On the other hand, there may also be a phase ahead, where many young players take top positions and semi-final spots – as if to apply for positions.
– In terms of interest in tennis, everyone is thirsty for newlyweds. It would be good if Alcaraz could find, for example, a Nordic counterpart with whom he could compete for a long time.