11. That’s the number of professional matches Carlos Alacaraz has played on grass in his career, yet, clutching the trophy at Queen’s, thoughts soon turned to Wimbledon. And winning the biggest grass-court event in the world.
The 20-year-old’s win in the warm-up event in London was not unexpected, but it means that when he next appears in the capital that he will do so as number one seed, marginally ahead of Novak Djokovic. That’s something that will give him a huge boost as he attempts to do the impossible, and beat the Serbian who hasn’t lost a game at SW19 since 2017.
"It helps a lot to be top seed at Wimbledon," said Alcaraz after raising the giant trophy aloft at Queen’s. "It's amazing. It wouldn't be possible without the support of the people through the whole week.
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"I started the tournament not really well, I had to adapt my movement a bit on grass, but it's been an amazing week and it's ending with a lot of energy and on a high.
"I have played 11 matches in my career on grass, so I have to get more experience, more hours. But obviously after beating amazing guys, great players, and the level that I played, I consider myself one of the favourites - or one of the players to be able - to win Wimbledon."
The surface may not be familiar to Alcaraz, whose only Grand Slam title to date came on the hard courts of New York, but he’s taken to grass like a duck to water. His incredible forehand that often clocks over 100mph is something the behold and the grass surface only helps his pace. His accurate serve, usually around the 130mph mark means he has the basics down to a tee, while he also has the movement and touch that is comparable to Roger Federer in his younger days.
That combination of skills make him the only viable challenger to the all-conquering Djokovic. A final between these two is what we can all hope for on Centre Court and for many, Alcaraz is the natural successor to Djokovic and the man who will carry the sport forward after the ‘big four’ era.
If they do meet, as they did in the semi-final at Roland Garros, Djokovic will be the favourite. He’s the man wearing the crown right now, but Alcaraz is desperately trying to take it off his head. The Spaniard has made rapid progress on grass in the past year but it is still a tough ask to see him beating the Serbian who is so bulletproof on the green stuff. If he can, it will alter the course of tennis for the next two years.
Now 36, Djokovic will have a genuine challenger for all titles, and although he is the greatest we have ever seen, he is performing at his absolute maximum. He always seems to find a gear to take things up a notch, but if Alcaraz can get one over him on grass it truly will be a sign of the changing times. Betfred have priced Djokovic at 4/6 to win his fifth Wimbledon title in a row while Alacaraz is second favourite at 11/4 - with those two well clear of the rest of the field.
It’s the final we all want. Alcaraz has what it takes to win Wimbledon, but the greatest of all time stands in his way.
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