After two sensational weeks of tennis, Wimbledon drew to a close on Sunday. Carlos Alcaraz secured an emphatic victory over Novak Djokovic in straight sets to retain his men’s singles crown at SW19.
The 21-year-old stormed into a convincing lead before appearing to lose composure with the championship at his mercy, squandering three match points to send the third set to a tiebreak. Alcaraz quickly regained his cool though to land the spoils with a 6-2 6-2 7-6 success.
Barbora Krejcikova impressed in the final of the women’s singles over the weekend too, impressing to a 6-2 2-6 6-4 win over Jasmine Paolini.
Express Sport will provide you with the latest news from Wimbledon after another brilliant Grand Slam…
45 mins ago07: 56 Jack McEachen
Carlos Alcaraz gets Netflix documentaryFor those who enjoyed Carlos Alcaraz’s run to a second Wimbledon title, they will be able to watch behind the scenes in a new Netflix documentary.
The streamer confirmed that a docuseries chronicling Alcaraz’s 2024 season will be released next year.
“People are going to get to know everything you don’t see on a tennis court,” Alcaraz said. “I think it’s something very different.”
1 hour ago07: 13 Jack McEachen
Carlos Alcaraz coach surprised by Novak DjokovicCarlos Alcaraz’s coach Juan Carlos Ferrero admitted that he was “surprised” his client was able to defeat Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon in such a manner.
Alcaraz won in straight sets, as his opponent put up little resistance in the first two especially, possibly due to his knee injury.
“I was a little surprised by Djokovic’s level,” Ferrero told Punto de Break. “I think he felt outclassed from the start. It was hard for him to keep up with Carlos’ pace and ball speed.
“It’s true that last year he was better, maybe this year, not being at 100 per cent, it was a little harder for him.
“Growth has to be there, we have to keep going. I think that now, at 21, you can’t stop growing. You have to keep growing and move forward, have that enthusiasm and motivation to go to each tournament to win.”
10 hours ago22: 45 Charlie Gordon
Norrie on collision course with NadalBritish tennis star Cameron Norrie and his doubles partner Mariano Navone will play Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud if they make it to the second round of the Nordea Open.
Nadal and Ruud have already punched their tickets courtesy of a straight-sets win on Monday.
Norrie and Navone will play Roman Safiullin and Theo Arribage in the first round on Tuesday.
Nadal is the main attraction in Sweden as he ramps up his preparation for the Paris Olympics.
11 hours ago22: 09 Charlie Gordon
Krejcikova leads Wimbledon’s rankings winnersBarbora Krejcikova forged her way back into the world’s top 10 with her superb win over Jasmine Paolini in the Wimbledon final. Paolini moved up to fifth as consolation for her defeat.
Elsewhere on the women’s side, Emma Raducanu was another of the big winners as she hopped up to 94th, jumping 41 places thanks to her fourth-round run.
Fellow Brit Sonay Kartal, who made it to the third round, jumped a huge 105 places to 193rd.
For the men, semi-finalist Lorenzo Musetti was a big winner as he moved to 16th in the ATP’s rankings.
There was also a big jump for Jacob Fearnley, who is now 231st after a gain of 46 places.
Barbora Krejcikova is 10th in the world after her Wimbledon win (Image: Getty)
11 hours ago21: 15 Charlie Gordon
Nadal’s uncle names ‘new rivalry’ in tennisRafael Nadal’s uncle Toni believes there is only one player capable of matching up to Carlos Alcaraz following his Wimbledon triumph over Novak Djokovic.
Writing in his El Pais column, Toni Nadal named Jannik Sinner as the only player who can give Alcaraz a proper test, with Djokovic no longer a threat.
“Trying to beat the player from Murcia by speed is practically impossible nowadays,” he wrote. “Perhaps only Jannik Sinner can play the Spaniard on equal terms.
“And, in fact, this Sunday’s final confirms that the real rivalry in the next tournaments and, probably, in the next few years will be between these two: the Italian and our great Spanish champion.”
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13 hours ago20: 02 Charlie Gordon
Nadal ‘at full strength’, says rivalRafael Nadal is at full strength heading into the Paris Olympics, according to fellow tennis star Tomas Martin Etcheverry.
Etcheverry and Nadal recently trained together before the Nordea Open.
Nadal won his men’s doubles match alongside Casper Ruud on Monday and will begin his single’s campaign against Leo Borg.
“Nadal is at full strength and playing, for me, very well,” said Etcheverry. “I had the opportunity to ask him things, to ask him for advice, and he is always very humble, he is helping and moving forward, and very attentive to everyone.”
14 hours ago19: 04 Charlie Gordon
Cash makes excuse for DjokovicFormer Grand Slam winner Pat Cash believes that Novak Djokovic’s knee surgery may have caught up with him in Sunday’s Wimbledon final.
The Serb was taken apart by Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets on Centre Court.
The fact he even made it to the final was seen as a surprise, given that he went under the knife weeks prior to the tournament.
And Cash has suggested it played a part in his thrashing at SW19.
“It felt like Novak’s legs weren’t going, maybe all these matches after surgery he didn’t have the complete spring in his step,” he said.
“It’s not what we expected, we were hoping for a great five-set match, but we saw just about perfection on Centre Court from Alcaraz today and that has to be admired.”
Pat Cash won Wimbledon in 1987 (Image: Getty)
15 hours ago18: 07 Charlie Gordon
Ruud sheds light on Nadal requestCasper Ruud didn’t have to think for long before accepting Rafael Nadal’s request to play doubles at the Nordea Open.
Nadal is using the event as a warm-up for the Paris Olympics, which could be his final flourish as a professional tennis player.
The Spaniard won in straight sets alongside Ruud in Bastad on Monday.
“Rafa sent a text and asked,” said Ruud, who has trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy since 2018. “I don’t usually play doubles, but when Rafa asks, it’s easy to say yes.”
16 hours ago17: 09 Charlie Gordon
Nadal pays tribute to Alcaraz and SpainRafael Nadal has reacted to Spain winning Euro 2024 and Carlos Alcaraz winning Wimbledon on the same day.
La Roja defeated England 2-1 in Sunday’s final, only hours after Alcaraz dominated Novak Djokovic on Centre Court.
“The Spanish team played an amazing Euros and we’re very proud of what they did,” said Nadal after winning alongside Casper Ruud in men’s doubles at the Nordea Open.
“It was a very happy day yesterday with Carlos winning Wimbledon. It was an amazing day for Spanish sport. It generates passion and motivation for people, and that’s good for the country, without a doubt.”
16 hours ago16: 21 Charlie Gordon
Rafael Nadal makes winning returnRafael Nadal and Casper Ruud teamed up today to win the Spaniard’s first competitive match since he was knocked out of the French Open by Alexander Zverev in May.
The new-look doubles pairing beat Miguel Angel Reyes-Varela and Guido Andreozzi 6-1 6-4 in Bastad, Sweden, as Nadal continues his preparation for the Paris Olympics.
The 38-year-old’s singles campaign will begin against Leo Borg – son of tennis legend Bjorn Borg – on Tuesday.
Nadal opted to sit Wimbledon out due to his crippling injury issues, with fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz winning in his absence.
Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud won their opening doubles match at the Swedish Open (Image: Getty)
Djokovic sends classy message to Princess KateNovak Djokovic says it was a ‘privilege’ to see the Princess of Wales present the trophies at Wimbledon on Sunday while she continues preventative treatment for cancer. Princess Kate made just her second public appearance since announcing her health battle in March.
Princess Kate was not in attendance for the women’s single on Sunday but did watch Djokovic’s clash with Carlos Alcaraz.
Asked what he had said to Princess Kate after their on-court chat, Djokovic said: “Yes, it was of course a privilege to be in her presence again. I’ve said to her that it is very nice to see her in good health. She seems to be in good health.
“That’s obviously very positive news for everyone in this country but also for Wimbledon, for Championships to have Her Royal Highness here, of course with her family members. It’s amazing. It’s incredible support they’ve been giving over the years to this tournament.”
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Carlos Alcaraz shares details of special FaceTime callCarlos Alcaraz has revealed he spoke to Alvaro Morata immediately after his Wimbledon triumph to wish the Spain captain good luck.
Speaking before matches at Euro 2024 had become a ritual for Alcaraz and former Chelsea striker Morata.
“I know a few of the footballers – I spoke to them before I started the match,” explained Alcaraz. “When I finished, one of the first FaceTimes I did was with Alvaro Morata just to wish them the best of luck. I tried to give them all my strength to try to do a good match.”
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Alcaraz responds to Raducanu rumoursCarlos Alcaraz has responded to speculation that he is dating Emma Raducanu after she was spotted in the stands at the Wimbledon final.
Social media has brewed rumours about the pair dating but the Spaniard believes that Raducanu was in attendance on Sunday due to the occasion.
He explained: “I don’t know. I guess a lot of people came to see the final. Novak and I we always play a spectacular match, it’s a beautiful match to see. And she is from here, so I imagine that she wanted to come and see it.
“If there was a Grand Slam in Murcia I would watch the finals 100 per cent. I don’t know if she came to the finals or if she came to see me. Who knows? You have to question her, but I hope she enjoyed the final.”
Alcaraz changes Spain celebration plansCarlos Alcaraz will not participate in the Spain national team’s celebrations following their Euro 2024 success, reports Marca.
Following their win over England in the final on Sunday, the team are set to return to Spanish soil on Monday and meet with King Felipe VI before travelling to the Moncloa Palace to be congratulated by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
After retaining his Wimbledon crown over the weekend, there were plans for Alcaraz to be a part of the celebrations and tour the streets of Madrid with the squad.
However, the 21-year-old has now opted to fly directly to Murcia in preparation for training on Wednesday.
Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in straight sets on Sunday (Image: Getty)
Kyrgios teases BBC returnNick Kyrgios has hinted that he would be keen to return to a punditry role with the BBC in the future.
The tennis star was unable to feature at Wimbledon as he is not fully fit but seamlessly turned his hand to punditry – earning plaudits for his insight over the course of the competition.
And it may not be the last that BBC viewers have heard of Kyrgios as he hinted on X that a return may be in the pipeline further down the line, saying: “Thankyou ESPN & BBC Sport for the last 2 weeks!!!
“We did some special things together…… Created headlines & narrated highlights!!!! Can’t wait for more!!!!! I’ll be ready…… kygs on the mic.”
Jasmine Paolini reveals she is ‘scared’ following Wimbledon defeatJasmine Paolini has admitted that she is ‘scared to dream too much’ following her defeat in the final of Wimbledon.
The 28-year-old came within a set of becoming a Grand Slam winner but was ultimately beaten by Barbora Krejcikova.
Paolini has improved markedly over the past few weeks, but the Italian is reluctant to get ahead of herself and set targets.
Asked after her defeat what her goals are now for the future, she explained: “Sometimes I’m a little bit scared to dream too much. I have to say that. I’m going to go back, try to practice and stay in the present… this is the goal for me and for my team.
“”To try to keep this level as much as possible. Because if I keep this level, I can have the chance to do great things. But if I’m not keeping it, nothing good will come. I don’t know what to dream right now.”
Nick Kyrgios raises Novak Djokovic concernNick Kyrgios has raised doubts about whether Novak Djokovic will win another Grand Slam title after the Serb lost in the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz.
Kyrgios, who has practised with Djokovic at Wimbledon this year, has questioned whether the 27-year-old’s effort will be enough to win another Grand Slam.
“They were chanting Nole at one point. It was a bit of a soccer crowd in there!” Kyrgios said while providing commentary for the BBC.
“As a tennis fan and someone that has played him, we will eventually give him the respect he deserves. He’s one of the greatest to ever play. The longevity, the effort he’s given to the sport, all the amazing matches we’ll remember him by. He’s still got plenty left in the tank.
“Whether or not it’s enough to win a Slam, but he’ll be knocking on the door in second weeks for the next year or two if his health stays here. Everyone respects it.”
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