IN front of two future monarchs, the King of Wimbledon was spectacularly dethroned by Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set epic.
Novak Djokovic’s 46-match winning streak on Centre Court – dating 10 years, and his run of four successive men’s singles titles at the All England Club, was halted by a 1-6 7-6 6-1 3-6 6-4 victory for the brilliant 20-year-old Spaniard.
With his flamboyant showmanship and breathtaking shot-making, world No 1 Alcaraz illuminates tennis as his compatriot Seve Ballesteros once lit up golf courses.
Prince William and Prince George were in the Royal Box, while Brad Pitt was sat in front of the media seats – yet the housewives of Middle England had eyes only for Alcaraz, as he was roared on to victory against the 23-time Grand Slam champion.
When Djokovic – who for all of his seven titles has never commanded the love of this place – reeled off the first five games of this final, the crowd were yearning for a genuine contest, let alone an Alcaraz victory.
Yet they got both as the young Matador from Murcia, 16 years Djokovic’s junior, staged an outstanding comeback.
First, he ended the champion’s run of 15 consecutive Grand Slam tie-break wins and then by clinching an epic 26-minute game, which included 13 deuces to break the champion’s serve on his way to a crushing third-set success.
After Djokovic bit back in the fourth, U.S Open champion Alcaraz raised his game still further to clinch the decider.
Alcaraz has the daring, the imagination and the sheer power to be an all-time great of this sport.
The way he leaps into shots like a cat on a hot tin roof, the flourish of his follow-throughs, and his extraordinary ability to up the tempo of a rally with his spanking ground strokes makes this young man such a thrilling watch.