“As long as Rafa and Djokovic are playing, there will be no change of era” – Alcaraz on the next generation

The Spaniard has taken the tennis world by storm, but he is keen to stress that the era of Djokovic and Nadal is not yet over

Alberto Pezzali/AP/SIPA

Jamie Malachy

July 18, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz is rapidly reaching ever loftier heights.

After winning the US Open at the age of 19 and becoming the youngest ever ATP world No. 1, 2022 looked to be a hard act to follow for the Spaniard.

Yet Alcaraz has succeeded in besting his own dizzying accomplishments last year by producing perhaps his greatest achievement yet – beating Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final to claim his maiden crown at SW19.

It was one of the greatest challenges in tennis to dislodge the four-time champion on a court that he had lost on in over ten years, and Carlos Alcaraz has done it.

Relive the moment a 20-year-old @carlosalcaraz became a #Wimbledon champion 🤩 https://t.co/oI2X5eFQ1o pic.twitter.com/Ru6Ufgk9ci
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 18, 2023

In doing so, he has held onto his No. 1 ranking and signalled a changing of the guard may now officially be upon us.

However, in a recent candid interview with Spanish newspaper Marca, the precocious talent – in typically humble fashion – has played down any speculation on a shifting of eras in tennis.

“I don’t think so,” was Carlos’ response when asked whether he believed his victory at Wimbledon marked the beginning of a new era.

“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.”

The 20-year-old has also shed light on some of the post-match comments from Djokovic on his opponent’s ability, when the Serb described Alcaraz as a mix of all the best parts of the Big Three’s games.

Comparisons with Big Three “crazy” for Alcaraz

“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.”

While Alcaraz is well aware that Novak Djokovic remains a huge obstacle to overcome in forthcoming tournaments – especially at Grand Slams – he now has the self-belief that he can beat the 23-time Grand Slam champion.

Despite being keen to downplay the notion of a changing of the guard, it is difficult to escape the fact that there has been an undeniable shift in dynamic in men’s tennis, something that the tennis world has not felt since Djokovic’s era of dominance – alongside Federer and Nadal – began.

As Alcaraz himself puts it, “That I am physically and mentally ready to play epic matches with great legends and on great stages.”

On the evidence we all witnessed from Centre Court during the final, the young man from Murcia came also expect to win many of those epic matches.

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