Novak Djokovic stops at 34. Roger Federer and Bjorn Borg are safe!
Novak Djokovic failed to follow Bjorn Borg and Roger Federer on Wimbledon ultimate record! A seven-time champion fell in Sunday’s Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz after a massive battle, experiencing a 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 loss in four hours and 42 minutes.
Thus, the Spaniard terminated the Serb’s thrilling Wimbledon streak of 34 victories, six short of Roger Federer and seven short of Bjorn Borg. Novak retired in the 2017 quarter-final against Tomas Berdych. The Serb bounced back a year later and claimed his first Wimbledon crown since 2015, returning where he belonged following a nasty elbow injury.
Djokovic had been a player to beat at The All England Club for five years, lifting four consecutive trophies before Alcaraz prevented him from winning the fifth and moving closer to Borg and Federer. Thus, the Swede and the Swiss remain the only players with 40 consecutive triumphs in the cathedral of tennis, with slim chances of someone joining them in the next decade or two if Alcaraz fails to do that.
Novak Djokovic stopped after 34 consecutive Wimbledon wins.
Novak endured an incredible Wimbledon final four years ago and toppled Roger Federer after an epic duel. The 36-year-old Serb could not repeat that against 16 years younger rival yesterday, suffering his first Wimbledon five-setter defeat since 2006!
The Spaniard took only one point more than the Serb, defending a set point in the second set’s tie break and playing determined tennis until the end of the encounter to emerge at the top first. Carlos landed 66 winners and 45 unforced errors, standing as a stronger player in the pivotal moments and lifting his second Major crown at 20.
Things looked great for Novak after the opening set, dominating on serve and return and clinching it 6-1 in 34 minutes. The Spaniard recovered his game in the second set and followed the rival’s pace. The set went into a tie break, and Djokovic opened a 3-0 advantage.
Alcaraz grabbed five of the following six points to open a 5-4 gap and improve his chances.Novak missed a routine backhand on a set point at 5-6 and sprayed another error to offer Carlos his first set point. The young gun seized it with a backhand down the line return winner and gained a massive boost after leveling the score at 1-1 after an hour and 59 minutes!
Djokovic faded from the court in the third set, losing serve three times and serving in that marathon 27-minute game that saw 13 deuces! Carlos converted his seventh break chance and gained an even more significant boost. Novak took an extended break and made a fresh start in the fourth set.
The defending champion saved two break points in the second game and grabbed breaks in games five and nine to wrap up the set 6-3 and force a decider. They missed a break point in games one and two of the final set before Carlos delivered a break in game three after an incredible point and a backhand down the line winner.
Despite chasing his first Wimbledon trophy, the youngster served well and handed the pressure nicely. Alcaraz served for the title at 5-4 and held at 30 after Djokovic’s forced error to end the rival’s streak and celebrate his second Major title.
