FILE PHOTO: Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Madrid Open – Caja Magica, Madrid, Spain – May 7, 2022 Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz shakes hands with Serbian Novak Djokovic after winning their semi-final match REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
Carlos Alcaraz believes he is capable of winning Wimbledon after claiming his maiden grass title on Sunday beating Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4 in the final at Queen’s Club.
The Spaniard’s fifth title of the season also takes him back to the top of the world rankings, but he says Novak Djokovic remains the favorite to win Wimbledon for an eighth time next month.
Alcaraz was playing on grass for the third tournament of his career and showed impressive development throughout the week at Queen’s after nearly falling to lucky French loser Arthur Rinderknech in the first round.
The US Open champion has won his next four matches without dropping a set and is confident of advancing past the fourth round at Wimbledon for the first time.
“I have a lot of confidence going into Wimbledon. I finished the week playing at a high level so right now I feel like one of the favorites to win Wimbledon but I need to gain more experience on grass” , said Alcaraz.
“Novak is the main favorite to win Wimbledon, but I will try to play at this level to have a chance of beating him or making the final.
“I saw a stat that Novak has won more matches at Wimbledon than the other top 20 players (combined). What can you say about that, you know? Novak is the main favorite to win Wimbledon. That’s obvious.
“But I will try to play at this level, have a chance to beat him or make the final at Wimbledon.”
Djokovic has reigned supreme on SW19 since 2018. He hasn’t lost on center court in 10 years since losing to Andy Murray in the final.
But Alcaraz hopes to have the crowd on its side if the two top seeds meet in the final.
“I saw that Djokovic had never lost a match on center court since 2013 when he lost to Andy so it’s been ten years without losing a match on center court, it’s crazy. But I hope to have the crowd behind me to change that stat.
De Minaur had dropped Murray and world number six Holger Rune on his way to the final.
But the Aussie must have regretted Alcaraz’s ability to pick up the big points in a tight competition.
“I’m happy because I know I left everything there and I’m trying to play the way I want to play,” said De Minaur.
“So it’s a big positive for me to come to Wimbledon.”
De Minaur had two break points for the chance to serve for the first set as he led 4-3.
Alcaraz responded, however, by holding serve and immediately breaking the world No. 18 in the next game before serving for the set.
He then needed a long treatment as he had strapping applied to his right quad.
Alcaraz’s movement didn’t seem affected as he again pounced on his only break point to advance 3-2 in the second set.
Two rare mistakes gave De Minaur hope in the final game as Alcaraz found themselves trailing 0-30.
But the Spaniard’s surging serve rescued him as four straight points secured the title and a return to world number one.
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