Carlos Alcaraz looked like he hadn’t messed up at all throughout the 2024 Wimbledon tournament, at least until the post-victory celebrations.
Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic in straight sets in the final on Sunday and collected the trophy in a ceremony alongside Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, 9-year-old Princess Charlotte and Middleton’s sister Pippa.
“We’ve seen you so much on TV,” Kate said. “It’s good to finally meet you.”
After a brief conversation with Middleton and Princess Charlotte, Mr Alcaraz appeared to leave the venue before speaking to Pippa, 40, despite the princess’s efforts to introduce the pair.
The three members of the royal family attended the men’s singles final on Centre Court on Sunday, where Middleton, 42, who is enduring a battle with cancer that was announced in March, was greeted with a standing ovation.
The highlight for Alcaraz was his second Grand Slam title this year, following his French Open victory in May, and his second consecutive Wimbledon title.
“For me, this is the most beautiful tournament, the most beautiful court and of course the most beautiful trophy,” Alcaraz said after the match.
The 21-year-old phenom joined Djokovic as a seven-time Wimbledon champion and is the only player to win the tournament since 2017.
Alcaraz’s company is even more impressive: He joins Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray as the only players to take home the trophy since 2010.
Before beating Djokovic, Alcaraz beat Daniil Medvedev in four sets in the semifinals, then beat American Tommy Paul, France’s Ugo Humbert and American Francis Tiafoe.
Tiafoe led 1-1 after two sets to take the match to a fourth-set tiebreak, but Alcaraz stepped up his game to overcome the formidable challenge.
Alcaraz’s straight-set victory marked just the second time since 2013 that only one player has won a set in a Wimbledon men’s singles final.
Alcaraz’s bid for a third consecutive Grand Slam title will come to fruition in August when the tennis world gathers at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens for the U.S. Open.
The Spaniard will be aiming to follow in Djokovic’s footsteps and win three of the four Grand Slam tournaments in one year.
