Wimbledon to snub Novak Djokovic request after Carlos Alcaraz denies teary Serb

Novak Djokovic is set to be denied his wish for next year’s Wimbledon after Carlos Alcaraz prevented the Serb from clinching an eighth triumph at the Championships and what would have been his fifth in a row. Alcaraz won 1-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 in a classic and dramatic four-hour and 42-minute final on the most famous grass court in the world.

Djokovic had been looking to join Roger Federer on eight titles at the All England Club but will have to wait an extra 12 months to do so. The 23-time Grand Slam winner was left frustrated as he faced boos from the crowd for a time violation when he took too long to serve and a code violation for obliterating his racket against the net post. And there were tears post-match in his on-court interview as he spoke to his son Stefan, aged eight, up in his box, saying: “I love you, thank you for supporting me.”

And on top of the disappointment of being denied the title, when he returns in 2024, Djokovic is unlikely to get the earlier starts to the day on Centre Court that he has publicly called for. The Daily Mail reported last week that Wimbledon are concerned they would need to pay out millions to broadcasters, such as the BBC, to bring the 1.30pm start time forward.

Play on the No 1 Court – the only other arena with a retractable roof – currently begins at 1pm with action on the outside courts getting underway from 11am. But unlike the other Grand Slams, play at Wimbledon concludes at 11pm on the show courts despite the roof and LED lights. Andy Murray and Djokovic were both inflicted by the curfew time this year with Djokovic’s fourth-round match against Hubert Hurkacz starting on Sunday night and finishing on Monday afternoon.