In a moment of humility and candor, Novak Djokovic acknowledged his defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s Wimbledon final, describing himself as “inferior” on the court against the rising star. Alcaraz, just 21, has now bested Djokovic in consecutive Wimbledon finals, solidifying his position as a dominant force in the world of tennis.

The final, which ended with scores of 6-2, 6-2, 7-6, was a stark contrast to last year’s epic five-set battle. Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, did not hold back in his assessment. “Last year I lost in an epic five-set match. We went toe-to-toe,” he reflected. “This year it was nothing like that. It was all about him. He was the dominant force. I was inferior on the court. That’s it. He played every single shot better than I did. He was at least half a step better in every way.”

Carlos Alcaraz, often compared to a young lion challenging the seasoned elder, dominated Djokovic throughout the match. The Serbian veteran was unable to match Alcaraz’s energy and precision, finding himself run ragged on Centre Court.

This defeat marks a challenging year for Djokovic. Despite his miraculous recovery from meniscus surgery on his right knee just six weeks ago, and winning three of the four Grand Slam titles last year, 2024 has been his toughest season yet. This was his first final appearance of the year, and he has yet to secure a victory against a top-10 opponent.

“Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz are both the best this year by far. I feel like I’m not at that level,” Djokovic admitted. “In order to have a chance to beat these guys, I’m going to have to play much better. I’m going to work on it. In the face of adversity, normally I rise and I learn and get stronger.”

However, the clock is ticking for the 37-year-old Djokovic. While he aims to rebuild his form, Alcaraz is only getting stronger. The young Spaniard, with his focused and relentless play, proved too much for Djokovic. Despite Djokovic’s attempts to shorten rallies by moving forward, he only won 27 of 53 points at the net, with Alcaraz consistently outplaying him.

Djokovic’s struggles were evident as he managed a mere nine winners from the baseline compared to Alcaraz’s 31. The Serbian legend appeared a shadow of his former self, unable to find any answers to Alcaraz’s aggressive and precise game.

Alcaraz, who joins Roger Federer as the only men in the Open Era to win their first four Grand Slam finals consecutively, delivered a performance for the ages. His focus, precision, and lack of nerves highlighted the remarkable talent and potential he possesses. The 21-year-old has shown glimpses of the titan he is destined to become, and his dominance at Wimbledon is a clear sign of things to come.

As Djokovic retreats to regroup and heal, the tennis world is witnessing the rise of a new champion in Carlos Alcaraz, a force that promises to shape the future of the sport.