"You have given us immense joy" - Rafael Nadal congratulates Carlos Alcaraz moments after compatriot's maiden Wimbledon triumph
Rafael Nadal sent a congratulatory message to Carlos Alcaraz just moments after the 20-year-old secured his second Grand Slam title at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships.
Alcaraz took on four-time defending champion Novak Djokovic in the final on Sunday, July 16. The Spaniard started the match on the wrong foot as Djokovic took the opening set 6-1.
But Alcaraz fought back and won the second set in a tiebreak, thus becoming the first player to take a tiebreak off Djokovic at a Slam since the 2023 Australian Open. He carried his momentum into the third set too, putting on a clinical performance to take it 6-1.
Victory would have to wait for Alcaraz, however, as the seven-time Wimbledon champion roared back in the fourth set, claiming a crucial break to force the match into a decider.
Alcaraz put on a dazzling display in the fifth set, making use of his powerful groundstrokes and well-disguised drop shots to secure a decisive break. He eventually claimed a 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 victory in four hours and 42 minutes.
Just minutes after Alcaraz's victory, Rafael Nadal took to social media and congratulated his compatriot on winning his maiden Wimbledon title. He expressed joy at the 20-year-old's victory and called for him to enjoy his moment of triumph.
"Congratulations @carlosalcaraz. You have given us immense joy today and I am sure that our pioneer in Spanish tennis, Manolo Santana, has also been cheering wherever he is, such as Wimbledon whom you have joined today. A very strong hug and enjoy the moment, Champion!!!" Nadal tweeted (translated from Spanish).
Enhorabuena @carlosalcaraz . Nos has dado una alegría inmensa hoy y seguro que nuestro pionero en el tenis español, Manolo Santana, también ha estado animando allá dónde esté como de Wimbledon al que hoy te has unido.
Un abrazo muy fuerte y a disfrutar del momento ¡¡¡Campeón!!!… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… https://t.co/y0j2GowX3O
Carlos Alcaraz retains World No. 1 ranking with Wimbledon win
With his Wimbledon win, Carlos Alcaraz has become only the fifth player to bag multiple Grand Slam titles prior to turning 21. He also snapped Novak Djokovic's 34-match winning streak at the grasscourt Major.
The Spaniard stopped the four-time defending champion Djokovic from joining Bjorn Borg and Roger Federer as the only players to win five consecutive Wimbledon titles. Additionally, he ended the seven-time champion's quest to equal Federer's Wimbledon title record.
The World No. 1 ranking had also been up for grabs prior to the Wimbledon 2023 final. However, Alcaraz's stunning victory has allowed him to retain the top spot in the ATP rankings. The Spaniard will enter his 29th week as the World No. 1 on Monday, July 17.