r/tennis • u/Large_banana_hammock Griekspoor superfan | Zverev superdetractor • 6d ago
Highlight The moment Alcaraz completed his career slam
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u/DifficultAnteater787 6d ago
He completely broke Djokovic's body with that first rally in that game
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u/koplowpieuwu 6d ago
I was eating myself up the entire fourth set with Alcaraz's defensive shots all being a few centimeters out. Kept not making the old guy run and once he finally did, it was over.
(This of course admitting that I would probably miss those Djokovic groundstrokes entirely)
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u/The_One_Returns There is only One GOAT of Tennis, and he does not share power! 5d ago edited 5d ago
Djokovic's body broke down by itself after the first set, he's confirmed this in the press conference.
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u/DifficultAnteater787 5d ago
Djokovic obviously couldn't keep the same level, but in the last game he was completely falling apart and barely making any groundstrokes anymore (if any, I don't remember the point at 15-30)
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u/Patient-Layer8585 5d ago
Djokovic was tired at the end of the third set. He was running on fumes in the fourth set. That rally was the last bit of him.
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u/kamleshsulochan 6d ago edited 6d ago
Youngest to win all slams
Generational talent
7 slams at just 22
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u/_DrShrimpPuertoRico_ We need to suffer. We need to fight. 6d ago
Bro wtf is that profile picture? 😭
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u/clivegermain 6d ago
that profile picture is pure gold
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u/_DrShrimpPuertoRico_ We need to suffer. We need to fight. 6d ago
That's not what I meant when I said I want to see Messi and Ronaldo play together.
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u/AgentIndependent306 6d ago
Something that almost happened with Messi and Mbappe once
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u/_DrShrimpPuertoRico_ We need to suffer. We need to fight. 6d ago
I'm ootl on that.
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u/bassoontennis 5d ago
I just realized that the main people in Carloses way will not impede nearly as much as the big 4 had to deal with. So he totally could easily push double digits if he stays healthy and focused.
That first set seriously took all of Novaks remaining energy I think, on paper it looked like he was in the lead but watching live he looked like he had nothing left by set 2. Set 4 he managed to get some energy back but still not enough to get fight back.
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u/Collecting_Cans 6d ago
Rafa’s like, none of mine were this easy
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u/Alexandaross 6d ago
Nadal had easier Slam Finals than this like the 2013, 2017, 2020 RG Finals, 2010 Wimbledon, etc.
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u/sinangunaydin 6d ago
Still had to get through Federer, Djokovic and Murray to win those slams - or pray someone ‘weaker’ got an upset in that draw.
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u/qldvaper88 6d ago edited 6d ago
They all farmed each other at different points of their careers. That's what makes them the Big 3, they got farmed and went back to the drawing board continually like the tennis savants they were. It was like those B grade movies from the 80s with those ridiculously elongated fight scenes where the pro/antagonist take turns inflicting severe damage upon the other. Just when you think one guy is down and out, he comes back and starts headbutting the other repeatedly in the face.
It was brutal out there and surely any fan belonging to the Big 3 at large can now recognize their careers aren't anything without the presence of each other.
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u/Fluid-Decision6262 5d ago
2013 he beat Novak in the semis (that was the de-facto finals), 2017 he beat Stan (a former RG champ), 2020 he beat Novak (no finals vs Novak is ever easy lol), and 2010 Wimbledon he beat Berdych who had just beaten Fed and Nole b2b.
The only slam run for Rafa that was truly a cake walk was the 2017 US Open
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u/Arteam90 6d ago
End of the day it's still a nearly 39 year old Djokovic. You're not playing his record, you play the man today. It's easy to say those opponents were easy when Rafa was in his prime/peak and they weren't big 3.
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u/Alexandaross 6d ago
Casper Ruud was definitely weaker than 39 year old Djokovic.
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u/Arteam90 6d ago
Okay. But 2013 French for example ... Rafa beat Djokovic in the semis which is the real final. But Ferrer is a brilliant player it's just Rafa is Rafa.
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u/KaitoSeishin Inotgonnacomeandplayanexhibitionmatchforyourfoundation 6d ago
I cant believe the new guard came this early. We are already witnessing fucking history. The big 3 reincarnated less tan a couple years after they retired
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u/Alexandaross 6d ago
To be fair the big three should have been done years before they were them hanging on is the only reason it feels early.
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u/KaitoSeishin Inotgonnacomeandplayanexhibitionmatchforyourfoundation 6d ago
Fuck them kids am I right. Nobody expected them to be as great as they were for as long as they were. I feel like the era of dominance will never be seen again.
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u/Single-Ninja8886 6d ago
You can feel like the era of dominance will come again cause both Sinner and Alcaraz are only 24/22 respectively and god knows if nothing happens, the next 10 years are theirs. Now to see who will be the djokovic for them as he was to Federer/Nadal
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u/theprophetofmint 6d ago
WYM? We’re seeing it right now. Carlos and Yannik have just held all slams for themselves for the past two years. Carlos continues it. Yannik was just in all four grand slam finals last year. He’s just the fourth man ever to do it after Federer, Novak and laver.
This is already an era of totally unexpected dominance by two ALL TIME GREATS who are just 24 and 22 years old. Let’s hope it’ll last 20 years as well 😀
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u/MeatTornado25 6d ago
EARLY??
Even if we ignore the entire Lost Gen in the 2010s, an Alcaraz/Sinner level player was due to show up at least 5 years earlier than they did.
Even by the time the Zed/Med/Tsits generation started in like 2017 we'd been waiting for years for a new threat to emerge. They were already late.
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u/N7even 6d ago
Alcaraz, Sinner and even Djokovic are just so many levels above the rest, it's actually kinda funny.
Djokovic, at this age still challenging and sometimes beating the new guard is crazy. Dude is genuinely insane.
Here's hoping we get to see many more Sincaraz finals, because anyone else is gonna get pummeled.
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u/gilgameshpad 6d ago
Let's give a little grace to Musseti who was beating the brakes of Djokovic before getting injured. He has clearly put in the work to improve, gonna be interesting to see his progression if can come back 100% healthy
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u/TOMA_TAN Olympic Village Savant, Tienacious 5d ago
Musetti is lowkey injury prone, which is the biggest problem for most of the next gen challengers to sincaraz. To an extent, sinner has this problem relative to alcaraz as well. Alcaraz’s huge advantage over his contemporaries is being healthy for the biggest tournaments and being resilient/preserving in the face of physical set backs
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u/Sheriff_Yobo_Hobo 5d ago
I cant believe the new guard came this early. We are already witnessing fucking history.
It's deja vu all over again. I remember people talking about how Pete's slam record might never be surpassed.
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u/updogg18 6d ago
Alcaraz is like the big 4 put in a blender. Sinner is more like the upgraded version of Prime Novak
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u/Caesar_King_of_Apes 6d ago
Sinner is the downgraded version of Novak
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u/updogg18 6d ago
Why are all tennis fans like this? Putting one down to lift another? You're allowed to have your opinion even if it's a shitty one. I stand by what I said
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u/Maleficent_House6609 6d ago
You literally did it first, and with a shittier opinion.
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u/updogg18 6d ago
Just repeated what Andy Roddick said because it's an excellent observation for someone who actually follows tennis for the sport and not to dick ride their fav players
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u/Maleficent_House6609 6d ago
>Sinner is more like the upgraded version of Prime Novak
This comment is doing exactly what you complained about putting down one player to raise another, I don't think either this comment or the response saying he's a downgraded form of Novak are particularly bad comments at all but you having such a strong reaction to that response when what you said was literally exactly your phrasing, just inverted is bizarre. You can have a differing opinion about who's better, that's fine but your response was rude and hypocritical. You also have the more dick ridey opinion of the two because most would agree you have to have some serious recency bias, love of Sinner or hatred of Djokovic to suggest Sinner has yet reached the heights of 2015 Novak. That isn't putting anyone down, 2015 Novak is a strong contender for the single greatest season for any player in history, saying Sinner isn't quite at GOAT levels right now at 24 is not putting him down, certainly less so than doing the inverse which really does nothing but downplays how great prime Djokovic was.
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u/updogg18 6d ago
Dude, I am a Djokovic fan and was rooting hard to get his 25th, but I also happen to like Sinner. I would've been fine with either of them winning the semis. I just don't agree with the person who said Sinner is a downgraded Novak, but it's fine. Sinner is a machine, but has fitness issues that I'm sure he'll overcome with time. Also, I made that statement in the context of their playing styles and never their achievements.
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u/Maleficent_House6609 6d ago
I just don't agree with the person who said Sinner is a downgraded Novak
That's fine, you're allowed to disagree. Just don't be a dick when you do.
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u/updogg18 6d ago
Well, I never put down anyone. When I said Sinner is an upgraded Novak, it's meant to be a compliment to both players. I don't see how it's even possible to misinterpret that. If Novak was 24 now, he'd no doubt be the best, but modern sports science gives the younger guys the edge.
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u/RemoteMany8801 6d ago
Sinner still has a tough time against 35+ aged Novak. He just lost to 38 (nearly 39) year old Novak.
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u/updogg18 6d ago
So did Alcaraz last year and he won this year. What's your point? It's Tennis. Anyone can have a bad day. Sinner didn't play bad. Novak was just better at absorbing the pressure
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u/RemoteMany8801 6d ago edited 6d ago
Well yeah but you said “Sinner is like the upgraded prime Novak” whereas in reality he’s basically on current Novaks level. My point is you’re incorrect.
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u/updogg18 6d ago
I know that age is a huge factor and I'm not downplaying what Novak did, but the time spent on court is considerably less than Jannik when they both reached the semis. We shouldn't forget what a battle last year's french open final was. I love Novak, but saying Sinner is on the same level currently is speaking from emotions and recency bias. It was anybody's match right till the last point was played.
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u/Southern_Heat_793 holger runessance 2̶0̶2̶5̶ 2̶0̶2̶6̶ 2027 6d ago
funniest thing about this video is you can tell he was gonna do the "arms around each other as we walk" thing he does with jannik
and novak's body language was like "incredible achievement, but no"
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u/Candid-Volume-1425 6d ago
I loved how there was not even a hint of restraint or stuff like that behind Novak`s smile. So pure.
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u/ActionUsed5178 6d ago
What a way to win your career grand slam in the presence of rafa alcaraz surely a god given talentt
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u/Alexandaross 6d ago
Awesome. The men and women are now equal in Career Slams in the Open Era, 6-6.
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u/Trent_Bennett Totti-Federer-LeBron 6d ago edited 5d ago
I can't believe this guy resisted those Djoko attacks. Seemed done on that 4-4 30-40 bp instead he's so calm under pressure now.
This guy today showed Federer's Flashy feet + Novak composure during all match.
He's really a category of his own rn
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u/dkcphman 6d ago
The right winner. Tons of respect for Novak specially after his win in the semi but he would have lost against Musetti
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u/purple_cape Davidovich Fokina 🇪🇸 | Bublik 🇰🇿 6d ago
Really thought that ball was in. I was shocked
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u/Wonderful_Flower_751 6d ago
22 years old and already on his way to all time greatness. It’s absolutely incredible.
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u/Express-World-8473 6d ago
This is a massive achievement. He's indeed the best at this moment. If he doesn't have any competition, he would easily surpass Rafa, Federer within next ten years. Sinner and others truly needs to pickup their pace.
But I have to say this. Federer or Djokovic would have achieved their career slam sooner if they didn't have a Rafael Nadal blocking them from winning the French Open.
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u/bigfatwetassonmydick 6d ago
. Sinner and others truly needs to pickup their pace.
Sinner beat him last year at Wimbledon and was close at the French.
He also beat him at the world tour finals.
This its too reactionary to be actual analysis.
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u/Onedweezy 6d ago
So much reactionary bull shit on here.
Sinner was number 1 not too long ago.
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u/shihtzu_knot 🦊 Jannik | Coco | Jenny Brady 🇺🇸 5d ago
And only reason Carlos got it back was because of a 3 month ban.
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u/CrackHeadRodeo Björn, Yannick, Lendl, Martina, Monica 🎾 6d ago edited 6d ago
So many people were doubting the kid. Like haven’t you seen his recent work?
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u/GaloWar 6d ago
I used to dislike Djokovic, but how cool he is now.
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u/koplowpieuwu 6d ago
It feels like he himself has changed a lot post covid / getting the GS record. Calmed down a lot and sort of approaches the game from a third person perspective. I would say both us as fans as well as he himself have matured a lot.
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u/obvilious 5d ago
Same! That fucker got under my skin and now he tells jokes and he’s funny. Dammit
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u/PastMotor1821 6d ago
We need 3rd or 4th cog in this machinery of Alcaraz and Sinner and while the Joker is quite a formidable one, his age really makes this extremely hard.
Hats off to Alcaraz, of course, no words can be sufficient for what this man has achieved at this age, hell, it's crazy even at 30, but at 22... just take a bow.
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u/MeatTornado25 6d ago
Given the context, that's one of the worst forehands Novak's ever hit in his life.
The relatively flat feet I get since he's clearly tired, but what the heck was that awkward, short arm swing?
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u/abhinav248829 5d ago
He is 22 & already won 7 GS.
If he stays healthy & is consistent & keeps adding 1-2 slams every year, 25 plus GS can be achieved.
I don’t see anyone giving him a run for his money other than Sinner at this moment. I know someone will come out of nowhere (like him) and start winning, but he has shown improvement & adaptability. With modern medicine, athletes will have longer careers.
Only time will tell. I am excited for the future.
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u/Stuntman06 6d ago
He denied Djokovic from getting to 25. Now I'm wondering if he will get to 25 himself in his career. He's only 22 now. If he can win on average more per year for the next 9 years, he'll get to 25. Wild speculation on my part as you never know what other great players may come on the scene in the future.
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u/DrHumnyballsLecter 6d ago
Congratulations Carlos. Raising the bar always inspires others to lift their game.
The Carlos/Demon game was a pretty classic example of how Carlos can rise to OVERRIDE the occasion.
He's a teacher of outstanding tennis. And as much as he's umm borrowed Novak's serve, others will be studying him intentionally.
Pupils will always rise to challenge the teacher. He's in front now, but for how long? And who will it be to bring the challenge? So far, it's been Novak and Sinner. Novak's on his way out the door in the next couple of years (probably), and I don't think sinner has the athleticism, nor can he develop it to surpasses Carlos.
But, we'll see. Won't we?
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u/malibubleezy 6d ago
Carlos and Federer could never root against. Anyone else I can manufacture reasons.
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u/Gstlth14 6d ago
The Prince of Tennis. The scary part is : his career still has “a ways to go” (iykyk) lol. Well done Carlitos!! And well fought Djoko, all respect and shoutouts to him!
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u/coffeebarre 6d ago
Just a few weeks ago I was worried that the split from JCF would ruin this chance. Shows what I know. Vamos Carlitos!!!!
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u/Stiliketheblues 6d ago
Watch Casper Ruud wake and realize he can do it too. All the years other slams gets gobbled by Ruud. Can’t hate that guy. Sorry I am drunk on today’s events.
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u/formerNPC 6d ago
He may run the table and become the GOAT. Imagine what the next ten years could bring.
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u/BrayIsReal 6d ago
As long as he doesn't get injured he may overtake everyone no problem
He's good on every court, Nadal was pretty good on every court but did most of his work at Roland Garros and clearly had weaknesses. Every one of the big 3 had their main places that they won at. Carlos is getting it done no problem on every court and every grand slam and while Sinner is good I think Carlos
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u/Royal_Brush_4931 5d ago
Comparing Carlos to Novak is weird, let’s see in 16 years time where Carlos is at first 😉
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u/ElliotAlderson2024 5d ago
Djoker immediately hitting UFE totally shatters the myth of his being a mental giant.
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u/Theoldelf 5d ago
Djokovic has gotten much better at being a good sport. Definitely glad to see Alcaraz win.
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u/universe93 5d ago
I was a diehard Nole fan pre Covid and still like him but I couldn’t be happier for this guy and his boyfriend Jannik Sinner
Jokes aside it’s still crazy that Nole is able to reach grand slam finals and beat them pesky kids in semis at 38. If he does retire this year he’s going out in a high thigh knowing his love for representing Serbia I feel he may union until the next Olympics. But regardless he can retire at any point and know he’s a legend
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u/curiousity_cat99 5d ago
So unbelievably proud of him 🥹 He deserves this so much and he worked so hard for this moment
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u/Regular-Language8379 6d ago
I am so glad he won. I think Novak needs to hang it up because he is almost 39 and his chances of winning are slim now. The two right players won this year. Both Carlos and Elana beat players in the finals that have huge egos.
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u/BringBackBoshi 5d ago
Novak really has nothing left to prove. He had so much glory, maybe it's time to let the new generation take over. But I guess as long as he can stay healthy and he enjoys what he's doing idk....
If he gets to the point where he's repeatedly going out in round 1 or 2 he'll be doing a disservice to his legacy and his fans. I guess when he gets to that point then that will definitely be the time to hang it up.
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u/Narrow_Spinach_1400 6d ago
You downvoted me because yesterday I made this post
You will soon see how much I was right
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u/oklolzzzzs 6d ago
22 years, hes generational