Carlos Alcaraz seemed to have zero missteps throughout the entire 2024 Wimbledon tournament — at least, until his post-victory festivities.
After beating Novak Djokovic in straight sets in Sunday’s final, Alcaraz received his trophy at a ceremony with Princess of Wales Kate Middleton, 9-year-old Princess Charlotte and Middleton’s sister, Pippa.
“We’ve watched a lot on telly,” Kate remarked. “It’s great to finally get to meet you.”
After Alcaraz engaged in a short conversation with Middleton and Charlotte, he appeared to depart from the venue before talking to 40-year-old Pippa, despite the Princess’ apparent efforts to introduce the two.
The three royals were in attendance at Centre Court on Sunday for the men’s singles final, where the 42-year-old Middleton was greeted with a standing ovation while enduring her battle with cancer, which was announced in March.
Alcaraz’s main act featured him winning his second Grand Slam event of the calendar year — after claiming the French Open in May — and second straight Wimbledon title.
“For me, this is the most beautiful tournament, the most beautiful court and, obviously, the most beautiful trophy,” Alcaraz said afterward.
The 21-year-old phenom joined seven-time Wimbledon winner Djokovic as the only winners of the tournament since 2017.
The broader company for Alcaraz is even more illustrious: He joins Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray as the only competitors to take home the trophy since 2010.
Prior to downing Djokovic, Alcaraz beat Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals in four sets, plus downed American Tommy Paul, Frenchman Ugo Humbert and American Francis Tiafoe.
Tiafoe led two sets to one and forced a fourth-set tiebreak before Alcaraz stepped up his game to overcome the harrowing challenge.
Alcaraz’s straight-sets victory marked just the second men’s Wimbledon singles final match where only one side claimed a set since 2013.
Alcaraz’s quest for a third straight Grand Slam will arrive in August, when the tennis world descends upon Queens’ Arthur Ashe Stadium for the U.S. Open.
The Spaniard will look to follow in Djokovic’s footsteps by winning three of four Grand Slam events in a calendar year.
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