Rafael Nadal reacts to Carlos Alcaraz’s Wimbledon triumph against Novak Djokovic
Rafael Nadal congratulated Carlos Alcaraz after his fellow countryman’s outstanding victory against Novak Djokovic in the 2024 Wimbledon final.
Alcaraz produced a stunning performance to dismantle Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4) in the championship match at Wimbledon to defend his title.
The world No 3 dominated the 24-time Grand Slam champion in all departments to earn a convincing triumph in two hours and 27 minutes.
The Spaniard is the first player to defeat Djokovic, who is a seven-time Wimbledon winner, twice in completed matches at the All England Club, having also downed the great Serb in an epic 2023 final.
Tomas Berdych is the only other man to record multiple Wimbledon wins against Djokovic, although the Czech’s victory in the 2017 quarter-finals came via a second set retirement.
Alcaraz, who turned 21 in May, has now won four Grand Slam titles and only requires the Australian Open crown to complete a career Grand Slam.
Is Carlos Alcaraz the greatest 21-year-old tennis has seen – or were other young stars better?
Novak Djokovic’s ‘suicidal’ Wimbledon tactics against Carlos Alcaraz questioned by legendary coach
In a post on Instagram following Alcaraz’s triumph, Nadal wrote: “Congratulations Carlos!!!! What a great moment, another one. Big Hug!”
Billie Jean King, Stan Wawrinka, Juan Martin del Potro, Coco Gauff, Holger Rune, Hubert Hurkacz, Fabio Fognini and Denis Shapovalov were some of the other stars of the tennis world to congratulate Alcaraz on Instagram. Football icons Davis Beckham and Neymar also hailed the Spaniard’s accomplishment.
Nadal and Alcaraz are set to join forces for Spain as a doubles team at the tennis tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will begin on July 27.
After claiming his second Wimbledon title on Sunday, Alcaraz looked ahead to the Olympics and touched on the prospect of partnering Nadal.
“Well I have huge expectation to the Olympic Games, not to the result side, but to enjoy the experience, being in the village with all the Spanish athletes,” Alcaraz said in his press conference. “It’s going to be a really beautiful moment for me. I will try to enjoy as much as I can.
“Obviously coming to the tournament, I am going to go for the title, I am going to go just thinking that I will able to win it, that’s my goal to bring a medal to my country, hopefully the gold medal.
“And obviously the doubles with Rafa is going to be a really dream moment for me. Obviously we will try to bring the gold medal again.”
Nadal skipped Wimbledon to prioritise his preparations for the Olympics and the former world No 1 is competing at the Swedish Open in Bastad this week.
‘Rafael Nadal is at full strength’ – ATP rival sends ominous warning ahead of Spaniard’s comeback
Why Carlos Alcaraz’s Wimbledon win against Novak Djokovic was his most significant yet
